Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton and his rising household costs

[Lushington]

So, whilst there is a shortage of housing at the largest (in manning terms) RAF base where people are living in damp ridden 1950's prefabs that look like the worst suburb of a district in Helmand, this person is spending more on his official household!!!!!!!!

Well done Sir..................:mad: I couldn't bare the thought of you having to run your own bath and prepare your jammys and a nice cup of cocoa. Do the extra staff tuck you in at night and read you a story?

Three defence chiefs' staff costs rise as frontline troops are cut - Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/9652506/Three-defence-chiefs-staff-costs-rise-as-frontline-troops-are-cut.html)

[Courtney Mil]

We remain committed to bearing down on the costs associated with senior staff.

REMAIN committed? Hasn't been going too well so far, then. I suppose it all depends on how committed you are.

[airborne_artist]

Though two other VSOs managed to cut costs (albeit from a very high base in the case of the Admiral):

"By contrast, the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, and the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Peter Wall, have managed to reduce the cost of their household staff. Admiral Stanhope cut his bill from £161,000 in 2009-10 to £113,000 in 2011-12, while General Wall more than halved his costs from £124,000 in 2009-10 to £59,000 in 2011-12."

[Genstabler]

A large part of the job of very senior officers is to cultivate and entertain, on behalf of and for the benefit of the MoD and government, people of influence from this and from other countries. They can't do that without suitable accommodation, staff and entertainment allowance.
Despite Lushington's cynicism I suspect that they do actually run their own baths.

[NutLoose]

When I was in singlie accommodation at Brize, actually finding a plug was a miracle, let alone filling it with water.

[Navaleye]

It just goes to show that Giant Crabs take a lot of looking after:\

[dervish]

You'd have thought Dalton would keep his head down after he inexplicably kept his job after writing lies to the press a couple of years ago about the Mull of Kintyre accident.

[Jimlad1]

With the possible exception of KEnsington palace, these are hardly palatial palaces for the service chiefs. I have visited one for an official function (as a very junior supernumary) and was astounded at how frugal and threadbare it was.
If you look at the diary of a 4*, you will find it is full, usually 7 days per week, and they work very long hours, ranging from official breakfasts through to late night functions, and are also expected to do a busy and challenging job.
The role of the retinue is to provide a driver, a cook, a valet and ensure that their VSO gets to the right place, in the right rig, and is able to host some very senior foreign officials in a reasonable way. The food is not luxurious foie gras, but normal officers mess type cooking.

We may grumble, but having seen first hand the importance many foreign VSOs attach to building good working relationships with their UK numbers, and also the way in which we expect them to represent the UK and their service, I would rather a small amount of public money was spent on this, rather than some dire 'PC' project. The value the UK gets from this silent diplomacy is incalculable, but makes a real difference.

[Navaleye]

A very valid point. Yes they do have a function in entertaining and hosting. But if CGS and 1SL can make major cutbacks in their spend why can't CAS? This needs to be looked at very carefully to ensure that taxpayer money is well represented. A cap is the only sensible answer.

The change in grace and favour homes and staff is long overdue IMHO, If CGS can do with £60k so can the others. BZ to him and his team for making it happen.

[Lushington]

these are hardly palatial palaces for the service chiefsHey Jimlad do you think these are palatial palaces for the Airmen at the forefront of the RAF?

http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/resources/images/1316534/?type=display

In a keynote speech, outlining his vision for the future of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton suggested sending fewer staff forward to the operation, and running control from a remote rear-headquarters.

He probably needs them to help tidy his garden or wash his car for him.:ok:

[Al R]

But if CGS and 1SL can make major cutbacks in their spend why can't CAS? This needs to be looked at very carefully to ensure that taxpayer money is well represented. A cap is the only sensible answer.

The change in grace and favour homes and staff is long overdue IMHO, If CGS can do with £60k so can the others. BZ to him and his team for making it happen.

I suppose a lot would depend on whether or not CGS/1SL have remained effective and fit for purpose. Which is why you and I agree that taxpayer money has to be well represented.

[kaikohe76]

I always used to think, that the place often for any Senior Military officer was down their with his troops at the coal face, so they could really get a grip on what real life was like. I make no comment on the state & performance of many of to days UK Senior Military Officers, other than to suggest, Monty would be turning in his grave!!

[ZH875]

It doesn't matter how bad the top brass are perceived to be by the general public, there will always be folks on this forum that will defend them to the bitter end. It's called aircrew/officers looking after themselves, and sod the other ranks.

For thus it was, it is, and shall be for evermore.

[alfred_the_great]

Personally I think that JR/ORs shouldn't be allowed to get married or own their own home. But that's the way it goes.

[HAS59]

I think the CAS needs a drill instructor on his staff. It makes me cringe watching him mince around the Cenotaph. Get some military bearing into the walking scarecrow I say!

[NutLoose]

Personally all ranks should have the same standard accommodation, regardless, it has to be cheaper to standardise it on one married quarter design. It will also hopefully improve the stock.

AtG you been on the wacky baccy again?

[Genstabler]

And all ranks should be paid the same too. As for flying pay....outrageous!

[alfred_the_great]

Not only should we paid the same we should all be members of the Sgt's Mess as well.

[newt]

So what may I ask is outrageous about flying pay? Many years ago in Germany, a blunty from SHQ was banging on about flying pay in the bar on a Friday night! Needless to say, his comments were overheard by one of the"Boys" who quite rightly took him to task!

OK he said to the blunty, how about every year we all come down to SHQ, line you all up and randomly shoot two? That would equate to the number of guys on this station who lost their lives sitting in their office!! That's why they get flying pay!

Any questions?:ok:

Names, dates and places withheld for good reason!

Oh and before I forget! I would be quite happy shooting Air Marshall's too!:E

[SOSL]

And I should be paid an incompetence allowance because I'm not very good at anything.

Rgds SOS

[SOSL]

Newt, dear boy, it's not actually why they (you?) get flying pay; but it's a good happy hour theory.

Rgds SOS

[SOSL]

Newt - I give in - you have got faster fingers than me!!

Rgds SOS

[Two's in]

If you're making a reasoned argument that the Service heads are no longer required to entertain and host in the manner to which they were accustomed, and accordingly a review of should be held and savings identified. all well and good. If instead you are practicing the proletariat politics of envy, and are fighting to have something removed because you don't receive it, then you should consider blogging on the Socialist Workers site for more impact and understanding.

[alfred_the_great]

If you're making a reasoned argument that the Service heads are no longer required to entertain and host in the manner to which they were accustomed, and accordingly a review of should be held and savings identified. all well and good. If instead you are practicing the proletariat politics of envy, and are fighting to have something removed because you don't receive it, then you should consider blogging on the Socialist Workers site for more impact and understanding.

The modern version of this is 'saving taxpayers money' and more often seen on conservativehome.com or the taxpayers alliance.

[SOSL]

Carm down, Carm down! Why d'you thinks the Socialist Werkers woud give a f***?

Rgds SOS

[WE Branch Fanatic]

And I should be paid an incompetence allowance because I'm not very good at anything.

Are you a politician?

[Biggus]

Sorry.....did you say an "incompetence allowance".....or an "incontinence allowance"? ;)

[SOSL]

WEB - no I'm a VJO. Biggus - we don't get an allowance for leaking.

Rgds SOS

[45-25-25]

There are "Statistics, statistics and damned lies" My experience of the RN is that they treat Residences as Annexes of the Wardroom. This allows them to hide staff and entertaining costs.

[alfred_the_great]

45 - not any more. There are precious few WRs ashore that have Stds and Chefs. 1SL's house is a 'modern' Barret Home in the middle of Whale Island - rather him than me frankly.

[Rosevidney1]

As the average blunty might say they are Specialists whereas aircrew are merely General Duties. :=

[si.]

Personally I think that JR/ORs shouldn't be allowed to get married

:confused:

Then escape the 'verbal assault' the rest of us must endure. I can see a flaw in that cunning plan....

[hval]

Then escape the 'verbal assault' the rest of us must endure.

I thought that's what SWOs were for.

[MATELO]

Funny like, cos last year the "staff" were paupers because the "stingy top brass" didnt pay the staff enough.

This year, the top brass are wasting money, becuase they have increased the "staff" paupers wages, which shows up as "expenditure"


Which way, do the press wanna bow ?? ??

[Bob Viking]

General duties? Not any more and haven't been for a long time. Do keep up old chap.
Can we please keep the flying pay argument going though, because it never fails to brighten up my days!
In fact, while we're at it is anyone for a little blunty bashing? Always good for a laugh.
BV:rolleyes:

[Lightning Mate]

Newt, dear boy, it's not actually why they (you?) get flying pay; but it's a
good happy hour theory.

Guns Newt.......Guns.....

[newt]

Just as in fishing, I think one should always use a smaller fly LM!! Its just too easy these days!!:ok:

[si.]

I would strongley support the abolition of flying pay.......

Every time I withdrew a large amount of cash from the joint account, Mrs Si. was never very happy when I explained flying pay must be paid, if she liked it or not.....;)

[SOSL]

OK - you may have got me.

But, for a nice small fly - I favour a Bristol Hopper Hares Ear.

Hang on a mo -what's this got to do with Sir Stephen Dalton and his rising household costs?

What about my rising household costs? They are much more important than his - I can't even afford a Bristol Hopper Hares Ear.

SOS sends

[BEagle]

I can't even afford a Bristol Hopper Hares Ear....

Use some, errm, girlies' topiary offcuts and a worm?

[Courtney Mil]

Girlies' Topiary, BEags. I love it.

[newt]

Can't use worms Beags! They tend to drop off when casting!!:ok: