Unclas
Here's what I got:
Changes to the costing conventions used to calculate LOA, reflecting the changing trends in lifestyles of people living in the UK which is reviewed every 4 years.
EFFECTIVE FROM: 01 Oct. 05
KEY POINTS:
· The latest review of UK lifestyles has revealed a marked reduction in the use of babysitters from 6.5 hours per week to 5 hours every 2 weeks.
· The new review addresses the disparity between the amount included within LOA and the amount provided by Operational Welfare Package (OWP) for telephone usage. The LOA contribution will rise for all personnel to 20 mins per week.
· All mains station LOA areas will change from 1 Oct 05 to ensure fairness.
SOURCE: DIB 2005/15
DETAIL:
The July 2004 UK Lifestyle Review which is to be used for the next 4 years for LOA calcualtion purposes has revealed a number of changes to the previous one carried out in 2000. Most significantly, the amount of babysitting being used has markedly reduced. Given that babysitting is one of the areas that LOA considers, any reduction in babysitting usage will result in a drop in LOA for married accompanied personnel. This applies to all
overseas areas and in order to ensure equity and fairness, the DMB has directed that the expected reductions in LOA be applied universally on 1 Oct 05.
One can only hope that all other areas have been thoroughly investigated, such as personnel taking their kids out with them when they go out for meals. That's what I do, because it is now more socially acceptable to have screaming brats in tow. I expect an increase of around 50% therefore.