The UK Ministry of Defence has announced a significant expansion of its Wraparound Childcare scheme, extending it to Armed Forces families deployed overseas.
The initiative, hoped to save eligible families approximately £3,400 annually, forms part of a broader effort to enhance support for service personnel and address challenges related to military life.
Defence Secretary John Healey highlighted the importance of recognising the sacrifices made by Armed Forces families:
“We ask our Armed Forces to make extraordinary sacrifices to defend UK interests and keep us all safe. This expansion of wraparound childcare is a testament to our commitment to support these families, saving them thousands of pounds and ensuring their service is valued.”
The expansion will provide 20 hours of funded before- and after-school childcare each week for families stationed abroad. Set to cost £3 million over five years, the programme will be available from January 2025 in several locations, including most European countries, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, and Brunei.
The childcare scheme extension builds on existing government measures to improve conditions for Armed Forces personnel and their families. The Ministry of Defence recently introduced recruitment reforms, simplifying application processes and reconsidering over 700 applications previously hindered by medical restrictions.
Additionally, this year saw the largest Armed Forces pay increase in 22 years, with new recruits receiving a 35% rise.
Luke Pollard, Minister for the Armed Forces, underscored the government’s commitment:
“Armed Forces families deployed overseas give up so much to protect the UK. For the first time, the government is ensuring they can access the same level of support as those back home. We will not rest until military morale is lifted, and their service is properly recognised and rewarded.”
The announcement coincides with the upcoming Parliamentary debate on the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill, which aims to establish the UK’s first independent champion for serving personnel and their families. The commissioner will address issues such as housing and equipment, with powers to conduct unannounced site visits and provide annual reports to Parliament.
The German Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, Dr. Eva Högl, praised the initiative, stating:
“It is gratifying to see Armed Forces Commissioners introduced in more and more countries. In Germany, the institution safeguards soldiers’ rights and is a well-recognized pillar of support. I am delighted to see the UK following suit.”
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Good news about help with childcare costs at home and abroad – there was no help in my day.
I am surprised at the claim in this article that new recruits got a 35% pay rise; that was not trumpeted from the rooftops in July when the Pay Award was announced.
“The lowest paid personnel (OR2-01) have been awarded a higher level of investment. In April 2024 they received a 7.25% pay increase, both ensuring they received National Living Wage uplifts.” Source – MoD Press Release of 30th July 2024.
If true that recruits received a 35% pay rise which then put them on the National Living Wage (not a massive income) – that shouts that their pay beforehand was atrocious.
I think we all agree that pay and accom are terrible.
I’m not sure that this will fix much TBH?
Given how few bodies that are now in the forces I do find the parsimony with the pay quite, well, surprising.
Yes, budgets are tight but if we don’t recruit -> invest -> retain the right people there is no long term.