BFC Fire Safety

 

How Does the Bank of England Work?

The Bank of England affects your everyday spending more than you might realise. 

But what does the Bank of England actually do, and how can its decisions affect your money?

This simple guide breaks it down. 

Read the full blog: www.firstdefencefinance.co.uk/how-does-the-bank-of-england-work

Defence Update: Local Overseas Allowance rate changes 2026

 

From 1 October 2026, some Local Overseas Allowance (LOA) rates will go up, and some will go down, depending on the cost of living in your location.

Check the new rates for where you're based before the change takes effect.

LOA explained

LOA is money paid to Service personnel who are working overseas.

It helps cover the extra cost of everyday living overseas, when prices abroad are higher than in the UK.

What's changing and why

Every year, experts check the cost of living in each country. They use information from the Employment Conditions Abroad (ECA) survey and the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This tells us if prices have gone up or down compared to the UK.

Two things to know about this year's changes:

• Child rate is staying the same: The way LOA works out payments for children is being looked at again. Until this review finishes, child LOA rates will not change.

• Second car payments are going down: New ONS data shows that running a car in the UK now costs less than before. As LOA compares costs to the UK, this means the second car payment is going down everywhere.

What you need to do

Look up the full details on the new rates for your location. These can be found in the Directed Letter 'Revised Local Overseas Allowance Rates effective from 1 October 2026' (on defnet and Defence Connect).

Your Offer, recognising your service

There are other allowances available to help with essential needs and family wellbeing while you're overseas.

Find out more in JSP 752 or visit Discover My Benefits to explore the range of savings, allowances and opportunities available.

Point of Contact

The Allowances Team: People-AFRem-AllcesGroup@mod.gov.uk

Episkopi Dinky Rides

 

Recruit for Spouses: Upcoming events, programmes and upskilling opportunities for military families

The latest Recruit for Spouses update includes:

• The RFS Coaching and Mentoring Programme - participant feedback
• RFS on BFBS radio!
• Op SPOUSE: have your say
• Upcoming events and webinars

To view the update in full, please go to this link: Upcoming events, programmes and upskilling opportunities for military families

The Warrior Programme: 3 day ONLINE foundation course - 9-11 November

Are you interested in maximising your potential and overcoming the feelings of low self-confidence, imposter syndrome, fear of failure, stress and anxiety, that keep tripping you up?
The Warrior Programme are running a 3 day ONLINE foundation course on Monday 9th - Wednesday 11th November - the same Warrior Programme that enables you to better manage emotions, feel more balanced and in control of life and work, just delivered online in the same format as our residential courses to maximise your time.

For more information about this and our other foundation courses please get in touch at:
enquiries@warriorprogramme.org.uk
stating whether you are serving personnel or a family member and which service you are with.

We are really looking forward to working with you and others in the same position, who are motivated to address challenges and maximise personal performance.

Motorfinity Community Update (September 2026)

 

Motorfinity Community Update (September 2026)

Your role could unlock more than you think with Motorfinity

The new 76 plate is here

The new 76 plate has arrived — and if you work in the NHS, emergency services, armed forces, education, social care or another eligible sector, your role could unlock exclusive savings on a brand-new car.

With selected vehicles available for quick delivery, you could be behind the wheel of a new 76 plate sooner than you think.

More than just a saving

Depending on your eligibility and the manufacturer, Motorfinity customers can access:

• Exclusive discounts on brand-new cars
• A wide choice of leading manufacturers
• Family discounts with participating brands
• Flexible finance options
• Part exchange
• UK-wide delivery
• Expert support from first browse to delivery

One customer. One new EV. One impressive saving.

Retired headteacher Robin recently unlocked a saving of around £11,000 on a new electric vehicle through Motorfinity.

“Even though it was remote, it was amazing service. Everyone was so helpful and nothing was a problem. Whenever we had questions, we received answers straight away. Communication was fantastic. Quite often, when a company has your money, they don’t care about giving you good customer service. At Motorfinity, we’ve received a high level of support throughout the process.”

Read Robin’s story → https://motorfinity.uk/blog/robin-customer-story/?source=outreach&utm_source=outreach&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=september

Ready to see what your role could unlock?

Whether you’re looking for a family car, a reliable commuter or simply your next new vehicle, it’s worth checking what’s available.

Call 01636 558 885 or explore the latest 76 plate offers online. https://www.motorfinity.uk/?source=outreach&utm_source=outreach&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=september

Motorfinity — exclusive savings for eligible communities.

Serve & Protect Credit Union: Free financial education webinars this October

 

Green Living: Simple Eco-Friendly Tips to Lower Your Bills

When: Thursday 8th - 12:00-12:45

What to Expect: Discover how you can live a greener life to protect the planet and your wallet.

Budgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money

When: Tuesday 13th - 12:00-12:45

What to Expect: Learn how to create a budget that meets your financial goals, with tips to cut spending.

Wills, Trusts and LPA Explained: Presented in Collaboration with Estates Planning Seminars

When: Wednesday 14th - 12:00-13:30

What to Expect: Discover the options available for protecting your assets and your family.

Financial Guidance for Global Majority Workers in the UK

When: Thursday 15th - 12:00-12:45

What to Expect: Explore the common challenges faced by Global Majority Workers and the support available.

Saving Made Simple: Practical Habits to Boost Your Savings

When: Wednesday 21st - 12:00-12:45

What to Expect: Discover 10 practical savings methods to build a healthy savings cushion.

Financial Resilience: Ready When it Matters

When: Thursday 22nd - 12:00-13:00

What to Expect: Discover why financial resilience is so important, with simple tips to improve your resilience.

Credit Score 101: Tips to Boost Your Score

When: Friday 23rd - 12:00-12:45

What to Expect: Understand the importance of credit scores, with simple tips to improve your score.

Borrow Smarter: Tips to Strengthen Your Loan Application

When: Thursday 29th - 12:00-12:45

What to Expect: Explore the journey of a loan application, the factors lenders evaluate, and what to do before applying.

Register for free here: sandpcu.co.uk/hs-webinars

Summer Reading Challenge 2026

 

If your child took park in Read to the Beat, please remember to take your books back and collect your prizes from your local library.

MOD Discover My Benefits Families Hub: Health & Wellbeing information for World Mental Health Day on 10 Oct

 

DMB Fams Hub link: Discover My Benefits - Families

Career Transition Partnership: Upcoming Employment Fairs – Bournemouth on 24 Sept and Belfast on 14 Oct

 

CTP Employment Fairs are open to Service leavers, Veterans, Reservists, partners and spouses.

Service leavers, recent veterans and Reservists: To find out more and to reserve a place, please visit: https://www.modctp.co.uk/home/list-events

Veterans who discharged more than 2 years ago and family members: Register via email to CTP.events@reed.com

Alternatively register via the Forces Employment Charity (FEC): Link and click 'REGISTER' from the menu.

Remaining 2026 CTP Employment Fair dates are:

Cardiff - 5 Nov
Telford - 19 Nov

Combat Stress ‘Stronger Together’ Webinar series – starting 1 Oct

 

Are you supporting a veteran with PTSD or trauma? @CombatStress, the UK's leading charity for Armed Forces mental health, has a free Stronger Together webinar series that can help:

• Five sessions delivered by in-house clinical lead, Dr Vicky Aldridge
• Gain insight into PTSD and trauma, communication strategies and how best to support your loved one and yourself
• Starts Thursday 1 October 2026, every Thursday throughout October

Register to book your place today: https://combatstress.org.uk/referrers/combat-stress-learning/family-and-friends-of-veterans/

Recruit for Spouses: October Events and Employment opportunities for military families

 

Link to RFS: www.recruitforspouses.co.uk

BFBS Update: Paramount Pictures’ Heart of the Beast, starring Brad Pitt, comes to military working dog headquarters for pre-release screening in BFBS mobile cinema

 

BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service), brought Hollywood to the heart of the UK’s military working dog community, hosting an exclusive pre-release screening of Paramount Pictures’ Heart of the Beast, starring Brad Pitt, directed by David Ayer and written by Cameron Alexander, at the Defence Animal Training Regiment (DATR) in Melton Mowbray, the headquarters for the UK’s Military Working Animals.

Audiences experienced the pre-release in an entirely new way, stepping inside the all-new BFBS Movie Machine - a purpose-built digital cinema housed within a 44-tonne HGV. Offering a truly unique cinema experience the specialist hydraulics transform the trailer, extending its sidewalls to create a fully self-contained, 80-seat mobile cinema, that has been bringing the big screen experience to armed forces communities since 2001.

The screening was delivered in exclusive partnership with Paramount Pictures, giving members of the military community the opportunity to see the film ahead of its UK theatrical release on 23 September, alongside interviews with service personnel and their working dogs.

The film follows an ex-special forces soldier and his former military working dog as they navigate the aftermath of service and a fight for survival in the Alaskan wilderness. Its themes of military life, resilience and the extraordinary bond between service personnel and animals made the DATR the perfect setting for the screening.

Adam Hardwick, BFBS Deputy Director of TV and Cinemas, said: “The Movie Machine has been an integral part of our worldwide cinema offer for more than 20 years, so we’re incredibly proud to partner with Paramount Pictures to bring this film to our armed forces and their families in such a unique way. It’s a great example of what the BFBS Movie Machine can do: take a major cinema release out of the traditional setting and bring it directly to those who are in the military community.”

With its unique ability to transform into a fully equipped film theatre, the Movie Machine has taken films to personnel in locations including Bosnia, Kosovo and Cyprus, making it the perfect platform for bringing this special screening to the heart of the military community.

For further updates on BFBS Cinemas, follow on Facebook and X.

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) bulk recruitment: 234 Executive Officer roles across North West England and Wales – closing date 01 Oct

 

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have a total of 234 Executive Officer (EO) roles across North West England and Wales. The role is EO Case Managers/ Decision Makers in Disability Services and Dispute Resolution Services.

These vacancies may be of interest to Service leavers, veterans and Service community members looking at Civil Service roles.

Civil Service Jobs link with further information on the roles available, and application details:

Disability Services - Case Manager / Dispute Resolution Services - Decision Maker - EO National (Ref: 776) - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK

The closing date is 01 Oct.

Forces Employment Charity: Two-day online accelerator workshop – 6-7 Oct

 

Ready to take the next step in your career? 

Empowering You Virtual is a super practical, free two-day online workshop, supported by Barclays, designed to help you build confidence, recognise your strengths and connect well with employers who understand military life. 

Join the Forces Employment Charity on 6–7 October 2026 and leave with practical tools, fresh insight and clear next steps.

Register today: https://rfea.my.site.com/forcesemployment/s/community-event?id=a48N1000000RYaHIAW

Open to military spouses/partners – even if based overseas, young people from 18-24 yrs, female veterans or reservists.

Legends, adventure, history, drama and dazzling dance — it’s all here on BFBS TV! — 19-25/09/2026 - Week 38

 

Your weekly guide to the must-see TV across all the channels provided by BFBS. Full listings can be found on our website Must-Watch TV Heading Your Way LEGENDS SEASON BEGINS ON BFBS EXTRA! Get ready for epic battles, fearless warriors and unforgettable stories. An adaptation of Homer's great epic Troy, the film follows the assault on Troy by the united Greek forces. In 300, King Leonidas and 300 Spartan warriors stand against the vast Persian army in a legendary last stand at the Battle of Thermopylae. And in 300: Rise of an Empire, Greek general Themistocles leads his forces against the invading Persian army in a brutal naval battle that will determine the fate of Greece. Legends on BFBS TV | BFBS Play For Today: Wild Starts Friday on Channel 5 Old friends Lou, Dev and Alistair cling to their annual wild camping tradition. What begins with banter, nostalgia and amateur vlogging soon unravels into a tense battle of egos, buried secrets and survival. It’s another huge weekend of live sport on BFBS TV! The Men’s and Women’s Inter Services Rugby League brings fierce competition as the Services battle it out on the field. UFC 331 sees Joshua Van take on Alexandre Pantoja in a huge showdown inside the Octagon.  PLUS it's the final full weekend of club fixtures before the international fixtures, so see what's on! https://www.bfbs.com/sport Also Showing Strictly Come Dancing Starts Saturday on BBC One   It's all change in the ballroom as new hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe take charge. The Split Up Starts Sunday on BBC One A long-buried secret threatens the future of prestigious law firm Kishan Law, throwing its elite lawyers’ lives into turmoil. Clickbait Clinic with Stacey Dooley Starts Monday on BBC One The host investigates viral wellness trends, separating health fact from social media fiction in this new series. Play For Today: Wild Starts Friday on Channel 5 Old friends Lou, Dev and Alistair cling to their annual wild camping tradition. What begins with banter, nostalgia and amateur vlogging soon unravels into a tense battle of egos, buried secrets and survival. Finding Britain's Slave Traders with David Olusoga Starts Monday on BBC Two David starts an investigation into the people and organisations who financed British trade in enslaved Africans. Made In Chelsea Starts Monday on BFBS Extra Beks hosts a pool party, giving Sam the perfect chance to debut his new girlfriend, Maali, but jack is waiting to make his move. The Blame Starts Sunday on ITV1  While investigating a murder, detectives Emma Crane and Tom Radley uncover evidence of serious misconduct within Wakestead police. The Great British Bake Off Starts Tuesday on Channel 4 The bunting has been hung and the tent is up, which can only mean one thing - Alison & Noel join Paul and new judge Nigella Lawson in ten weeks of competition. Martin Compston: Living Las Vegas Starts Wednesday on Channel 4 Martin offers an insider's tour of Las Vegas, revealing the secrets, thrills and irresistible allure that makes his adopted home the ultimate playground.