More dosh, less tax
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2200/182=12.08 GBP per day.
Wow, that's generous.
Will it be paid at a Daily Rate, or will it be a straight 2200 per full 6 months? If so, there will be ALOT of people who won't get it.
Watch them take LSA away to offset it...
Wow, that's generous.
Will it be paid at a Daily Rate, or will it be a straight 2200 per full 6 months? If so, there will be ALOT of people who won't get it.
Watch them take LSA away to offset it...
Last edited by TheInquisitor; 10th Oct 2006 at 14:24.
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Yep, Sky News are also reporting that the £2200 bonus will be for all ranks on 6 month tours in Iraq or Afghanistan.
I fully appreciate the hard and dangerous job that the Army are doing on the ground in these places but they are doing their job - i.e. fighting a ground war. When I go out there I do my job, i.e. fly and provide a service. We all (I imagine) joined the Armed Forces in order to do the job of our respective Forces and that is what we are paid to do. I however joined to do my job defending the UK, not spend months away from home and family.
Personally I feel that the 'payment' should be for all personnel away from home on operations for any length of time, and the only fair ways of doing this is to either make that time tax exempt during their deployment or have a reasonable daily rate of deployed ops allowance. That way ALL personnel deployed on ops, not just those on the ground in those 2 countries, should get some compensation for being away from home for so long.
MadMark!!!
I fully appreciate the hard and dangerous job that the Army are doing on the ground in these places but they are doing their job - i.e. fighting a ground war. When I go out there I do my job, i.e. fly and provide a service. We all (I imagine) joined the Armed Forces in order to do the job of our respective Forces and that is what we are paid to do. I however joined to do my job defending the UK, not spend months away from home and family.
Personally I feel that the 'payment' should be for all personnel away from home on operations for any length of time, and the only fair ways of doing this is to either make that time tax exempt during their deployment or have a reasonable daily rate of deployed ops allowance. That way ALL personnel deployed on ops, not just those on the ground in those 2 countries, should get some compensation for being away from home for so long.
MadMark!!!
Last edited by Mad_Mark; 10th Oct 2006 at 14:13.
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Good news for the guys on the ground getting shot at. Probably not help the retention of folks that fly over the hotspots on a daily basis, or the chaps that support them on the ground and in the air. Still a good start - you never know, when the full package comes out it may surprise us.
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Give with one, take away from other
This is merely a vote grabbing idea and has no service welfare aspects to it whatsoever.
Des Browne concentrated on how well off the Squaddie would be with this payment rather than having his pay tax free like our allies.
Where as what he really meant was this payment would be cheaper for the government if it was a flat rate because the high tax payers still pay 40% tax.
Good for squadies, and bloody cheap option for Government.
Des Browne concentrated on how well off the Squaddie would be with this payment rather than having his pay tax free like our allies.
Where as what he really meant was this payment would be cheaper for the government if it was a flat rate because the high tax payers still pay 40% tax.
Good for squadies, and bloody cheap option for Government.
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Stunned silence in the crewroom. No gripes about the Army but for Des to stand there and proclaim a good deal for all beggars belief.
A real kick in the nads.
For him to stand there and say that this deal is better than Tax Relief is a an outright Lie.
A new low from our Govt
A real kick in the nads.
For him to stand there and say that this deal is better than Tax Relief is a an outright Lie.
A new low from our Govt
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It is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, however it would have been much better if earnings were tax free while deployed on operations.
Last edited by AHQHI656SQN; 10th Oct 2006 at 18:36. Reason: spelling mistake
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...and standby for the crap payrise this coming April. Something about being 'paid enough already' will undoubtedly be bandied as an excuse.
I don't begrudge the 'lads' this extra cash - they deserve it. But my tax bill over 6 months is more than 9,000GBP.
Why is this Leftie govt wholly incapable of paying people what they deserve without some kind of 'redistribution' agenda steering it?
I don't begrudge the 'lads' this extra cash - they deserve it. But my tax bill over 6 months is more than 9,000GBP.
Why is this Leftie govt wholly incapable of paying people what they deserve without some kind of 'redistribution' agenda steering it?
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I'm back out there before Xmas. As said, better than nothing but my Tax bill will still be several thousand pounds. 
It should be for all tour lengths, not just 6 months.
But then, the Army actually fight for their people. Our leaders are still too busy bagging their jolly in a Typhoon or sowing sequins on their No 5's for the Gay Pride Ball.
It should be for all tour lengths, not just 6 months.
But then, the Army actually fight for their people. Our leaders are still too busy bagging their jolly in a Typhoon or sowing sequins on their No 5's for the Gay Pride Ball.
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I can't work out how giving us tax-free pay would be such a difficult issue. F&CO CS personnel have been tax-free overseas for years.
Perhaps that'd be a little too good for the officers (well actually anyone who earns over about £26,500, so that'll be Cpl's with a few years in post) for a Labour government so desperately trying to turn red again after a few years being ever-so-blue.
Solidarity brother.
Perhaps that'd be a little too good for the officers (well actually anyone who earns over about £26,500, so that'll be Cpl's with a few years in post) for a Labour government so desperately trying to turn red again after a few years being ever-so-blue.
Solidarity brother.
hmmm
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Must be true then.
Is he pushing for higher office or is he happy with Station Commander Benson, not that I'm drawing any link between approval of a hatchet job by his political masters and his career prospects of course...?
Is he pushing for higher office or is he happy with Station Commander Benson, not that I'm drawing any link between approval of a hatchet job by his political masters and his career prospects of course...?
Well, its a start, just not a very good start. Assuming you don't have to do a whole 6 months and its a daily rate:
Approximate "Tax Bill Refund" = £12 per day.
My approximate tax bill = £40 per day.
While better than nothing, I'm not exactly leaping for joy.
Wouldn't it be much simpler to put it on the tax return:
Q: "Are you in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, Royal Air Force?" Y/N
Q: If Y, how many days did you spend in an officially designated operational area (or words to that effect)?
Approximate "Tax Bill Refund" = £12 per day.
My approximate tax bill = £40 per day.
While better than nothing, I'm not exactly leaping for joy.
Wouldn't it be much simpler to put it on the tax return:
Q: "Are you in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, Royal Air Force?" Y/N
Q: If Y, how many days did you spend in an officially designated operational area (or words to that effect)?
The 6 months bit is a little harsh, as I have been on many a 'trip' for under 6 Months but in equally crappy conditions. As has been said, better than a depth charge up to the makers name plate, but lets award the bonus on the same criteria as qualifying for a medal, ie over 28 days service blah, blah. That way ALL personnel serving on Ops stand a better chance of being rewarded. Watch the next directive from the lords and masters ensuring roulemonts take place every 5 months and 2 weeks, just to save money and get an MBE!! (Cyril the Cynic!)
Weasel
Weasel
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...I am pleased to announce today that we intend to introduce a new, tax-free, flat-rate, operational bonus, which for a six month tour would amount to two thousand, two hundred and forty pounds. For an average private or lance-corporal, this is equivalent to the amount of tax they would pay during a six month tour. It means that half our people on operations will be better off than under a tax exemption – increasingly so for the lower paid. The most junior will be over five hundred pounds better off after a six month tour. Just as importantly, everyone on operations will be equally better off, by just under £100 per week, free of tax...
...The payment will be backdated to 1 April 2006, as an adjustment to pay arrangements in the current financial year. Full details of eligibility will be made public shortly but I can confirm that besides Afghanistan it will apply to our forces in Iraq and in the Balkans...
The 'six month tour' quote is an illustration on how much it would be worth, not a statement of the minimum criteria. Here's hoping that it will be piggy backed onto LSA. But at least the young squaddies will be getting it.
I bet they call it the LSA Operational Bonus LSA(OB)
...The payment will be backdated to 1 April 2006, as an adjustment to pay arrangements in the current financial year. Full details of eligibility will be made public shortly but I can confirm that besides Afghanistan it will apply to our forces in Iraq and in the Balkans...
The 'six month tour' quote is an illustration on how much it would be worth, not a statement of the minimum criteria. Here's hoping that it will be piggy backed onto LSA. But at least the young squaddies will be getting it.
I bet they call it the LSA Operational Bonus LSA(OB)
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The bit about Browne speech I liked was when he gave examples of other nations "Tax Free Exemptions" and said "We can go even further"
VOTE
1 - TAX free earnings, whilst on Ops
or
2 - Tax Free Lump Sum
1 Please. TVM
VOTE
1 - TAX free earnings, whilst on Ops
or
2 - Tax Free Lump Sum
1 Please. TVM
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Past experience suggests that grimweasel and VR have it right.
There were so many misdirections in Browne's PM interview I don't know where to start.
Sven
There were so many misdirections in Browne's PM interview I don't know where to start.
Sven