Army HIVE Christmas and New Year Closure

 

The majority of Army HIVEs will be closed after duties on Fri 19 Dec 25 and will reopen on Mon 5 Jan 26. There may be localised variations to these dates for individual HIVEs.

Army HIVE HQ is also closed during the festive fortnight, so any enquiries submitted via the ‘If you need further information’ MS Forms function on our UK, Cyprus or Overseas blogs will be answered when we return in the New Year.

We will periodically cover private messages on our Army HIVE Facebook platform (and X/Instagram where possible) whilst we are closed. However, this will not be 24/7 and should not be relied upon for anything that requires an urgent response.

To support our customers with more immediate requirements however, the Army HIVE HQ email will provide a comprehensive out of office autoreply, detailing points of contact that are either 24/7, emergency providers, or open over the festive leave fortnight. To receive this autoreply, please email: 

RC-Pers-HIVEComms-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Individual HIVEs will also provide localised contact details for Christmas and New Year cover wherever possible in their automated replies. Therefore, if you email your closest HIVE, which you can find on www.army.mod.uk/hives, their autoreply may be of additional assistance.

Army HIVE wishes all of its Service community customers, and our internal and external stakeholders, a very happy Christmas and New Year. We look forward to continuing our support and engagement in 2026.

First Defence Finance: Top Christmas Discounts for the Military

Top Christmas Discounts for the Military

The Christmas rush is officially here. The shopping lists, the family visits, the hunt for the perfect gift at the perfect price.

The good news is you don’t have to do it alone. The MOD has partnered with First Defence Finance, a credit union providing savings and loans the military community. Opening an account with them gives you access to their discount platform packed with offers that help you stretch your winter budget.

From food to gifting, we’ve pulled together some of the best festive deals to make the season a little brighter and a lot more affordable.

Gifts for Everyone

Whether you’re buying for family, friends, or Secret Santa, you can find the right gift for anyone with a little discount.

• Virgin Experiences 15% off
• Argos 7% off
• Adidas 11% off
• H.Samuel 7.50% off
• ASOS 6% off
• Harvey Nichols 7% off

Gifts For Her:

From little luxuries to thoughtful treats, these brands are ideal for mums, partners, sisters or friends who deserve something special.

• White Company 9% off
• Swarovski 15% off
• Treatwell 15% off
• Mango 5% off

Gifts For Him:

Aurora New Dawn: Armed Forces Domestic Abuse Helpline - Christmas opening hours

For more information on Aurora New Dawn support please visit: www.aurorand.org.uk

Civilian Housing Options Briefings – 2026 Dates

To register for a Briefing, and provide your details please visit:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/information-and-guidance-on-civilian-housing

For more information on MoD Veterans Services support for Service Leavers and their families please visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-and-support-for-service-leavers-and-their-families

The Dual Accommodation Waiver (DAW) to be made permanent from 1 April 2026

The Dual Accommodation Waiver (DAW) to be made permanent from 1 April 2026

From 1 April 2026, the Dual Accommodation Waiver (DAW) will become a permanent waiver for eligible Service personnel (SP) and outdated waivers based on marriage and age will be retired.

First introduced in March 2024 the DAW was designed to support home ownership and replace older SLA waivers. The DAW supports eligible SP to use Single Living Accommodation (SLA) free of charge, providing they maintain a separate home elsewhere in the UK.

What are the key changes from 1 April 2026?

• Enduring Policy: On 1 April 2026 the DAW will go from a temporary waiver to a permanent waiver, ensuring long-term support for eligible Service personnel.

• Removal of outdated Waivers: Waivers for SLA charges based on marital status and age will be retired, promoting fairness and consistency. Regular and Full Time Reserve Services Full Commitment (FTRS FC) Service Personnel receiving outdated waivers will automatically go onto DAW – no action needed.

• Updated Eligibility Criteria: To ensure efficient use of SLA, eligibility rules have been updated. Service personnel must maintain a UK home outside daily commuting distance, and provide annual evidence to HR.

• New Applicants: If you are not currently using DAW but believe you are eligible, please contact your Unit HR directly.

• Full eligibility details are set out in latest news on Defence accommodation policy - GOV.UK

New Travel Credit Scheme

New Travel Credit Scheme – helping you reunite with loved ones this Christmas

A new one-off Travel Credit Scheme will help Service personnel get home to family and friends during the festive season and months that follow.

From 8 December, eligible personnel can claim for support with the cost of either road or rail travel for a return journey home. The new scheme extends the existing Get You Home (Early Years) provision.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“When I came into office, I promised to renew our nation’s contract with those who serve us. That is why this government is improving homes for heroes, delivering the biggest military pay rise in a generation and enshrining the new Armed Forces Covenant in law to properly represent our forces community.

“Our Armed Forces make extraordinary sacrifices, and I know how important being with family is, and that is why today we’re announcing extra travel support for service personnel to be with their loved ones this Christmas.”

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

“Our Armed Forces make extraordinary sacrifices to keep our country safe. Helping them get home to their families for Christmas is the least we can do to support them.

“In this new era of threat, the strength of our defence lies in the serving men and women of our forces. Having already awarded the biggest military pay rise in 20 years and launched a big new strategy to renew military housing, this Government is proudly putting our Forces First.”

Who’s eligible to receive payment

Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 04 December 25

Tackling Damp and Mould 

Over the last few years we have made substantial progress in tackling damp and mould that has been reported to us. Condensation is usually the biggest cause of damp within homes, and we know this often increases in colder months of the year. There are 4 key steps that you can take to prevent condensation, damp and mould in your home. 

Please read our helpful guide to preventing condensation, damp and mould in your homes here. 

 

Report it  

If you discover damp and mould, including any recurring issues, please report it straight away so that we can resolve the issue promptly. You can do this in the following ways:  

 

• Complete the dedicated Damp and Mould report form on the Pinnacle website.  

• Call Pinnacle on 0800 0318628, selecting option 1, then option 4.  

• Chat to Pinnacle online, you can do this by selecting the chat option on Pinnacle website.  

 

Our commitment   

Awaab’s Law, which took effect in October 2025, requires social landlords to address all damp and mould hazards within fixed timeframes. While we are not bound by this legislation, DIO has voluntarily committed to upholding the standards expected of a responsible landlord and our response times to damp and mould reports in UK SFA have been adjusted.  

 

When you contact Pinnacle, our teams will assess the severity of the problem, on a scale from level 1 to 5, with 5 considered the most severe. Pinnacle will then coordinate with Amey/VIVO to begin their investigation to address the issue.  

 

• Levels 1-3: Amey/VIVO will respond within 10 working days.  
• Levels 4-5 (highest priority): Amey/VIVO will respond within 48 hours, and families will be offered temporary accommodation during the investigation.  

 

If we cannot fully complete the required work after investigation, we will provide the family with a written summary within three days, outlining completed tasks and any remaining work.  

If you have any queries related to damp and mould, please contact Pinnacle on 0800 031 8628. You can find further information about seasonal safety advice on Defence Homes.   

Victory Services Club latest newsletter - The VSC is Sparkling for Christmas!

The latest newsletter from the Victory Services Club is now available to view online at this LINK

To find out more about Christmas celebrations at the VSC, please visit: Christmas at the VSC is here! - Victory Services Club

Recruit for Spouses: Op SPOUSE and how RFS supports you

What is Op SPOUSE?

RFS gives the following overview:

“A nationwide initiative to strengthen Defence retention, readiness and resilience.

“Family dissatisfaction is the leading driver in the Armed Forces retention challenge – and supporting spouses more effectively is critical to improving outcomes across Defence.

“Op SPOUSE is the solution – it equips military spouses with the tools, opportunities, and support they need to thrive, helping to sustain family stability and long-term commitment to Service life.

“Delivered by RFS – the UK’s leading military families charity – this scalable initiative enhances existing MOD commitments to support Service families, and strengthens Defence outcomes by improving retention, readiness and cost-efficiency.”

Find out more at: https://www.recruitforspouses.co.uk/op-spouse

To find out more about the support available from Recruit for Spouses, please view/download the 'How RFS Supports You' brochure.

NHS England: Calling All Young Carers! Workshop dates for Dec 25 and Jan 26

To register for a workshop please email: ENGLAND.NHSTHINKCARER@NHS.NET

For more information about the support and resources available to young carers in the Service community, please contact Army HIVE on RC-Pers-HIVEComms-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk, PM via our social media pages, or use our blog enquiry form (from the blog menu please go to: “If you need further information Please contact us: here.

Civvy Street Magazine – Dec 25/Jan 26 edition out now

 

The latest digital edition of Civvy Street Magazine is available here

Hounds for Heroes: Christmas Appeal 2025 – 12 Days of Christmas

Hounds for Heroes launched their Christmas 2025 appeal on 1 Dec, and they say: “This year’s appeal celebrates the incredible journeys of our dogs in training — from playful puppies Minnie and Fletcher, to confident adolescents Cranwell and Blaze, and our advanced dogs Comet, Titan and Astra — all progressing toward becoming life-changing assistance dogs for injured and disabled members of the Armed Forces and Emergency Services.”

Further information and resources for the Christmas appeal are at:

12 Days of Christmas | Hounds for Heroes

Your Offer - Armed Forces Survey - Survey deadline extended to 15 Dec

Survey deadline now extended to 15 December 2025

Our people deserve a reward package that meets their needs & reflects their dedicated Service.

Regular personnel – what parts of the #ArmedForces Offer are you most satisfied with? And where do you need extra support?

Tell us so we can build an Offer that works for you 👇

https://ow.ly/2RET50XmmUg

DIO Families First Newsletter for SFA Occupants – Issue 32 Out Now

Issue 32 of DIO’s Families First newsletter, dated 28 Nov, is now available to view online or download on the Defence Homes website. Previous issues can also be accessed via the same link.

Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 01 December 25

Rapid Refurbishments to Service Family Accommodation

Service families’ homes across the UK are being upgraded as part of improvement works to rapidly raise the standards of military accommodation. DIO is on track to deliver on our commitment to carry out targeted renovations to 1,000 homes before the end of 2025.

Refurbishment and upgrade works are already well underway at many locations across the UK including over 100 homes in Wales, over 50 in Scotland and over 150 in Northern Ireland, with immediate priority being given to the homes most in need.

Refurbishment works will vary from site-to-site but will focus on fixing unreliable boilers and heating systems, repairing leaky roofs, eliminating damp and mould, and upgrading electrics and plumbing.

These upgrades form part of the delivery of commitments made in the SFA Consumer Charter earlier this year. This is only the beginning of a decade- long improvement in military accommodation that has been set out in the recently published Defence Housing Strategy. With over £9bn worth of investment in the next ten years, more than 40,000 service family homes will be modernised, refurbished or rebuilt.

View the heatmap of some of the locations where upgrades are taking place across the UK and hear more about the impact of works already underway here.

Serve & Protect Credit Union: December Webinars

️ Upcoming Webinars:

Eco-Friendly Ways to Save Money

Dates: Mon 1st December, Mon 15th December

Time: 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM

What to Expect: How you can live a greener life, helping you to save money and care for the planet.

Register Here

Motorfinity: Top tips to finding suitable Black Friday car deals

Motorfinity have created a blog post with advice on Black Friday car deals.

The article covers:


What Black Friday car deals are
Who offers them
The type of deals you can experience
Top 5 tips to finding suitable deals for you
How to find out more about our Black Friday deals

To read the Motorfinity blog please go to: 

Our top tips to finding suitable Black Friday car deals | Motorfinity

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) bulk recruitment for EO Work Coach roles, South West Scotland apply before 11.55pm Thurs 11th December

The Department of Work and Pensions has 13 new DWP Work Coach Executive Officer opportunities in South West Scotland. 

These are now open for applications until 11 Dec 2025.

Civil Service Jobs link: Universal Credit Job Centre - Work Coach -Executive Officer - South West Scotland (Ref: 751) - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK

OPERATION BULLSEYE – Qualifier events up to May 2026

OPERATION BULLSEYE is a unique darts event that pairs professional players with serving personnel and veterans in a knockout tournament like no other.

Details of registration for competitors, and all other events, can be found on the posters and within the below link.

More details to follow for spectators but it is shaping up to be a great event that is open to all three services and veterans, please share around your departments.

https://www.defencedartscommunity.co.uk/registration

BFPO: Last Posting Dates Christmas 2025

 

Click on poster to enlarge.

To ensure your Christmas letters and parcels reach their destination in good time, it’s always a good idea to post as early as possible, the latest posting dates in time for Christmas Deliver are above or at the following link: Get ready for Christmas 2025 │ Royal Mail Group Ltd