Department for Work & Pensions update: Do you know your state pension age?

With Pension Awareness Week 2026 ongoing, DWP are encouraging customers, service users, colleagues and stakeholders to take one simple first step: checking their State Pension age on GOV.UK.

As State Pension entitlement is linked to National Insurance contributions, the Service community are reminded that spouses or civil partners who accompanied their Serving partner on an overseas assignment can complete a Gov.uk online form to request that NI credits are applied to their record for time spent overseas. For further information, eligibility criteria and the online form, please go to: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-insurance-credits-for-partners-of-armed-forces-personnel-overseas

Department for Work & Pensions: Latest news updates

Loved ones of asbestos and dust-disease victims to receive fairer compensation

Families who have lost loved ones to asbestos and other dust-related diseases will get higher compensation payouts, as part of the Government’s effort to support bereaved families.

Workers who develop asbestos-related and dust-related diseases like mesothelioma and pneumoconiosis caused by their work can claim a one-off payment from the Government if they haven’t already secured compensation from their employer.

This is often the only option available to sufferers, since it can take years for these diseases to develop, meaning the employer responsible has usually gone out of business by the time someone is diagnosed.

However, under the current system the payment is passed to their grieving family at a reduced rate if it is paid after the sufferer dies. New legislation will ensure that dependants will receive the same rate as sufferers, in full.

Read the press release

*The MOD War Pension Scheme also provides for asbestos exposure claims attributable to Service, such as Diffuse Mesothelioma. See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-for-veterans-diagnosed-with-diffuse-mesothelioma

Major work experience drive for young people

Young people will be given vital work experience opportunities thanks to a major initiative between government and Britain’s leading retailers – with the ambition to create up to 100,000 jobs by the end of the Parliament.

Alongside the sector’s ambitions of creating 100,000 jobs, the British Retail Consortium and DWP are launching a new work experience programme, Opening Shift, which will see 18-24-year-olds looking for work offered two to four weeks of hands-on experience as part of more than 11,000 placements with Britain’s biggest retailers, including Tesco, John Lewis, Waitrose, Curry’s and Costa Coffee, complete with dedicated workplace support and interview experience.

The DWP will manage the pipeline of eligible young Universal Credit customers who will be referred to the voluntary programme through jobcentres, and the retailers will provide the placements and wider support, with 16 to 35 hours of work experience provided each week for two to four weeks.

They could be offered a permanent role if one is available, be put on the retailer’s talent bank, or directed towards apprenticeship and other opportunities.

Read the press release

Pension Awareness Week 2026

As part of Pension Awareness Week, Pension Geeks is offering free online events, including a session on how MoneyHelper can help you. Visit the Pension Awareness Week website for more information.

Defence update: Remembrance weekend - free rail travel for bereaved families

Defence and the Department for Transport have extended free rail travel across Britain over Remembrance weekend, for families of Armed Forces personnel who died while serving.

For the first time, one close family member of someone who died in Service can travel for free on National Rail services. This applies to journeys to Remembrance events between 7 and 8 November 2026.

The family member could be a spouse, partner, parent, child or sibling, who is registered as the nominated next of kin.

This offer now matches the free travel benefits available to Service Personnel and Veterans during Remembrance weekend.
Recognising bereaved families

This new offer will help families join Remembrance services and events, including the Cenotaph, without the cost of travel being a barrier to them attending.

Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said:
“Remembrance Weekend is a time for the nation to come together to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice whilst serving our country.
“Bereaved families are at the heart of these commemorations, and the cost of travel should not prevent them from being there to remember their loved ones.
“Extending free rail travel to next of kin will help more families attend Remembrance events, standing alongside communities, veterans and serving members of our Armed Forces as we honour and remember those who served.”

Minister for Veterans and People, Calvin Bailey, said:
“Remembrance is an opportunity for the nation to come together in recognition of the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces. For bereaved families, this is a deeply personal time.
“We must never forget that behind every name we remember is a family whose lives have been changed forever. Providing free rail travel will help bereaved relatives come together and honour their loved one without financial barriers.”
Mikki Brett is the widow of the late Chief Petty Officer Stuart Brett who served in the Weapons Engineering branch of the Royal Navy and died from cancer while serving, in April 2023.

Speaking with Minister for Veterans and People, Calvin Bailey, Mikki said:
“It's fantastic news that the in-service bereaved have been recognised for the support given to their loved ones, with free train fares to remembrance events this year.”
Mikki is already registered to come to the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday and will be one of the first to benefit from the new travel offer.

Co-CEO of Rail Delivery Group, Ola Ogun said:
"Railways have long been connected to remembrance commemorations, recognising the importance of their contribution during wartime. As an industry, we are proud to continue supporting this important national occasion by offering free travel to serving personnel and veterans.
“This year, we are especially pleased to extend that support to one next of kin of those who died while serving in the Armed Forces recognising not only the sacrifice of those who served, but also the families who continue to carry their legacy and honour their memory.”

Reaching bereaved families

Colerne: Come fly with the RAF Brize Norton Gliding Club, based on Colerne Airfield

 

The main reasons RAF Brize Norton Gliding Club exists is to provide serving UK military personnel with the opportunity to experience gliding.

Whether you're Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force, you don't need any previous flying experience. Come along to Colerne, fly with one of our instructors, get your hands on the controls and see what gliding is all about.

And if you enjoy it, it doesn't have to stop with one flight — you can continue learning, develop your flying and work towards going solo and beyond.

We're proud to welcome civilians too, but providing opportunities for serving personnel from across the UK Armed Forces is at the heart of what we do.

Click here to visit the website

Information provided by Colerne and Lyneham HIVEs

Department for Work & Pensions: Latest news updates

Loved ones of asbestos and dust-disease victims to receive fairer compensation

Families who have lost loved ones to asbestos and other dust-related diseases will get higher compensation payouts, as part of the Government’s effort to support bereaved families.

Workers who develop asbestos-related and dust-related diseases like mesothelioma and pneumoconiosis caused by their work can claim a one-off payment from the Government if they haven’t already secured compensation from their employer.

This is often the only option available to sufferers, since it can take years for these diseases to develop, meaning the employer responsible has usually gone out of business by the time someone is diagnosed.

However, under the current system the payment is passed to their grieving family at a reduced rate if it is paid after the sufferer dies. New legislation will ensure that dependants will receive the same rate as sufferers, in full.

Read the press release

*The MOD War Pension Scheme also provides for asbestos exposure claims attributable to Service, such as Diffuse Mesothelioma. See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-for-veterans-diagnosed-with-diffuse-mesothelioma

Major work experience drive for young people

Young people will be given vital work experience opportunities thanks to a major initiative between government and Britain’s leading retailers – with the ambition to create up to 100,000 jobs by the end of the Parliament.

Alongside the sector’s ambitions of creating 100,000 jobs, the British Retail Consortium and DWP are launching a new work experience programme, Opening Shift, which will see 18-24-year-olds looking for work offered two to four weeks of hands-on experience as part of more than 11,000 placements with Britain’s biggest retailers, including Tesco, John Lewis, Waitrose, Curry’s and Costa Coffee, complete with dedicated workplace support and interview experience.

The DWP will manage the pipeline of eligible young Universal Credit customers who will be referred to the voluntary programme through jobcentres, and the retailers will provide the placements and wider support, with 16 to 35 hours of work experience provided each week for two to four weeks.

They could be offered a permanent role if one is available, be put on the retailer’s talent bank, or directed towards apprenticeship and other opportunities.

Read the press release

Pension Awareness Week 2026

As part of Pension Awareness Week, Pension Geeks is offering free online events, including a session on how MoneyHelper can help you. Visit the Pension Awareness Week website for more information.

Vale of Glamorgan: Parent Line available in the Vale of Glamorgan to contact the school nurse for confidential advice & support

 

Vale Family Compass:

Did you know you can text your school nursing team? They can help with a wide range of health problems including sleep, eating, toileting, behaviour, bullying and puberty.

Simply text 07312 263 178 to speak to them today!

--------------------------------

Oeddech chi'n gwybod y gallwch anfon neges destun at eich tîm nyrsio ysgol? Gallan nhw helpu gydag amrywiaeth o broblemau iechyd gan gynnwys cwsg, bwyta, mynd i’r toiled, ymddygiad, bwlio a’r glasoed.

Anfonwch neges destun at 07312 263 178 i siarad â nhw heddiw!

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Milford Haven: GET AFLOAT! - Join our Junior Sea Cadets!

GET AFLOAT! - Join our Junior Sea Cadets!
Aged 9-11yrs? Join either of our Tuesday or Thursday section Junior Sea Cadets.
Our Junior Sea Cadets have wonderful training opportunities, based right here in Milford Haven!

🔴 Red Module Badge - Experience a safe and fun learning environment at the Unit, learning all about the Unit, how to wear your Uniform properly and learn how to march!
🔵 Blue Module Badge - Get afloat with us learning how to Row, Sail, Kayak & Windsurf, all in a safe way with our experienced and qualified instructors, upon our beautiful waterway!
🟡 Yellow Module Badge - Immerse yourself into our community, visiting lots of different organisations, museums, community groups and get a real sense of what Milford means!
🟢 Green Module Badge - Venture into the great outdoors, learn all the basic skills to be safe and enjoy our amazing outdoors!

There's so much to take part in - get in touch!
recruitment@milfordhavenscc.org.uk
https://www.sea-cadets.org/milfordhaven/get-in-touch
01646 695443

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub. 

Chepstow: Join the Army Cadets at Beachley Barracks

Double click image to enlarge.

Action, Adventure, Fun & Friendship. For a life changing experience, join the army cadets! If you are aged 12 - 18 years of age, join us on Tuesday evenings 7 - 9 pm.

For further information call 01873 813756,

Email: gwentandpowysacf@fca.org.uk or visit the website by clicking here.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Defence update: Remembrance weekend - free rail travel for bereaved families

 

Remembrance weekend: Free rail travel for bereaved families

Defence and the Department for Transport have extended free rail travel across Britain over Remembrance weekend, for families of Armed Forces personnel who died while serving.

For the first time, one close family member of someone who died in Service can travel for free on National Rail services. This applies to journeys to Remembrance events between 7 and 8 November 2026.

The family member could be a spouse, partner, parent, child or sibling, who is registered as the nominated next of kin.

This offer now matches the free travel benefits available to Service Personnel and Veterans during Remembrance weekend.

Recognising bereaved families

This new offer will help families join Remembrance services and events, including the Cenotaph, without the cost of travel being a barrier to them attending.

Defence Children Services: Service Pupil Premium – register your child before 1 Oct 2026

📢 If you're a Service parent and your child attends a school in England, make sure their school knows about your Service status before 1 October 2026.

Eligible schools can receive £360 per eligible Service pupil through the Service Pupil Premium (SPP), helping them provide additional support for Service children.

Find out more about eligibility and how you can help your school access this valuable funding:

https://dcs.school/2026/09/11/service-pupil-premium-2026-extra-funding-for-service-children-in-england/