The impact of VAT changes on the Continuity of Education Allowance

 

In the Budget speech The Chancellor of the Exchequer has confirmed that the government will remove the VAT exemption for private schools from 1 January 2025.

For families claiming the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) this is likely to increase private school fees.

To minimise the impact of this change, the Secretary of State has directed that the CEA rate cap will be uprated, to ensure it continues to pay up to 90% of school fees for eligible claimants.

What does this mean for CEA claimants?

NHS England - 2024 Autumn/Winter Armed Forces health stakeholder brief

 

Welcome to the Autumn/ Winter edition of our Armed Forces stakeholder brief. To mark this year’s Remembrance, NHS England and our partner Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) are urging GP practices to become veteran friendly accredited and prevent ‘silently struggling’ veterans from delaying seeking medical help.

The Veteran Friendly Accreditation scheme by the RCGP and NHS England is a quick-to-implement, free support programme that provides the general practice team with a simple process for identifying, understanding and supporting veterans and, where appropriate, referring them to specialist physical and mental healthcare services. These could include Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, Op RESTORE: The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service and OP Nova: Supporting Veterans in the Justice System.

98% of primary care networks currently have at least one veteran friendly accredited GP practice – please help us to meet our ambition of 100% coverage, by promoting the benefits of practices becoming veteran friendly, to best support their patients who have served in the UK Armed Forces.

As we join the whole of the NHS in England in remembering the commitments and sacrifices of the Armed Forces and their families and wider communities, we wish you a peaceful Remembrance at what can be a difficult time of year for people who have served and their loved ones. Those who have served in the UK Armed Forces, and live in England can contact Op COURAGE for support with their mental health.

To download the full brief, please click here

Easy Resettlement Magazine - Autumn 2024 edition

Please click the image above to read this issue online

Gloucestershire: 'Man Up/Woman Up' peer support sessions in Gloucestershire

 

ManUp Gloucestershire offers a weekly drop-in session of community peer support, where men over 18 throughout the county can come to chat.

Click here for further information about these groups

For details of the Women's peer support groups, please click here to visit their Facebook page

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Stafford: Sandon Road Preschool Playgroup spaces available all year round (subject to availability)

 

Information provided by Stafford HIVE

Defence Transition Services (DTS): Civilian Housing Brief Dates 2025

Click to enlarge.

To register for a brief: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/information-and-guidance-on-civilian-housing#civilian-housing-briefs

For more information on getting additional support when leaving the armed forces: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/getting-additional-support-when-leaving-the-armed-forces​​​

Blackpool: & The Fylde College - Adult Courses Exhibition Truck

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Gloucestershire: Support for Carers and an upcoming event for Carers Rights Day - Thu 21 Nov

Gloucestershire Carers Hub supports unpaid Carers throughout the county of Gloucestershire.

Carers may be supporting someone with physical or emotional needs, and this could be due to an addiction, ill health, frailty or mental health issues.

Activities for Carers this month include online sessions as well as face-to-face groups in the community and an opportunity to meet local representatives and professionals on Carers Rights Day in Cheltenham on Thursday 21st November.

Please click here to view the schedule online

To find out more about the Gloucestershire Carers Hub, click here

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Wiltshire: New drop-in's from SENDIASS, the statutory SEND Information, Advice and Support Service for Wiltshire

Wiltshire SENDIASS are thrilled to be introducing drop in sessions for families! Join them in November at the following venues:

• Warminster Library- starting 11th November, Noon-2pm
• Trowbridge County Hall- starting 18th November, 11:30am-1:30pm
• Chippenham Library- starting 26th November, 11:00am-1:00pm
• Salisbury Library- starting 7th November, 10:30am-12:30pm

Further sessions will run as per the poster attached.

Please click here to find out more about Wiltshire SENDIASS

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Wiltshire: Struggling with high energy prices and the cost of living? Warm and Safe Wiltshire may be able to help!

Please click the images to enlarge

To visit the website, please click here

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs