A concerning situation has been uncovered where military personnel and their families are resorting to food banks due to high inflation and rising costs. The issue extends to various branches of the Armed Forces, with even a Royal Air Force base in Lincolnshire having its unofficial food bank, according to a defense source. Originally established to support civilians in the local community, the facility at RAF Coningsby is now being utilised by RAF personnel as well.
Internal documents from the RAF, along with interviews from military sources and charities, shed light on the broader impact of the cost of living crisis on defense personnel. Some service members are faced with the difficult choice between buying food or fuel, resulting in some being unable to afford the journey home to see their families. In one distressing example, a single mother and aviator went without a hot meal for four days because she had spent her last money on baby milk formula. The documents reveal that the number of inquiries for financial support from military personnel to a key charity has more than doubled. There are even individuals who can no longer afford subsidized meals at their mess. Additionally, there is growing discontent among service members who cover for striking public sector workers receiving better pay while the Armed Forces are prohibited from taking industrial action.
Although the documents primarily focus on the RAF, similar hardships are experienced by personnel in the Royal Navy and the Army, as confirmed by sources within those branches. While the Ministry of Defence claims to be providing assistance, such as supporting childcare costs, there is a recognition that more needs to be done. Sailors are reportedly unable to return home during weekends or leave periods due to travel costs, and some service members are reaching out to food banks or service charities for help with debt management.
The provision of specific benefits to the Armed Forces, such as subsidised housing and meals, as well as fuel grants, aims to maintain the appeal of joining and retaining talent within the Army, Navy, and RAF. These benefits are also meant to acknowledge the unique challenges and sacrifices associated with military life. However, a study conducted by military chaplains last year revealed that a limited number of personnel were resorting to food banks in local areas. Although the extent of food bank use varied across units, it was clear that a significant number of families were relying on them.
The report highlighted the overall impact of cost of living pressures and inadequate military accommodations, including issues like faulty heating and vermin infestations, which had a detrimental effect on morale. The defense source familiar with the food bank at RAF Coningsby expressed anger and frustration at the fact that service personnel had to rely on charitable agencies for their basic needs.
The food bank at RAF Coningsby was initially established by a junior non-commissioned officer to support the local civilian community. It has its own Facebook page and is operated by a Christian group called Destiny Outreach Coningsby, offering assistance to people in Coningsby and the surrounding areas. An RAF spokesperson clarified that the food bank was not set up by the RAF for its personnel. However, no comment was provided regarding the claims that serving aviators were utilizing the facility.
The Ministry of Defence considers any use of food banks by military personnel as a “private life matter” and does not possess data to support claims of their alleged use. Nevertheless, RAF Coningsby officials expressed concern last July about the increasing number of personnel seeking assistance and support due to the cost of living crisis, prompting them to report the situation to Air Command.
The financial strain on the military is also exacerbated by pay issues, particularly in the face of soaring inflation. The annual pay increase for the military is determined by the independent Armed Forces Pay Review Body, whose recommendation is considered by the Ministry of Defence before announcing the final amount. However, delays in the announcement often occur, with any increase in salary being retroactive to the start of April. This uncertainty has led to discontent among service members who view it as a gamble each year.
Calls have been made for the government to provide a 10% pay rise for the military in line with inflation. Sarah Atherton MP, an Army veteran and member of the Commons Defence Select Committee, emphasized the need to value and support the Armed Forces, particularly in the current unstable global security situation.
Military charities like the RAF Benevolent Fund are stepping in to help fill the void. They have reported a significant increase in inquiries for financial assistance from serving personnel. In response to questions regarding the cost of living crisis and food banks, the RAF spokesperson emphasised the range of support available to personnel, including welfare officers providing financial advice, access to fuel grants and hardship funds, and assistance from supporting charities and associations. The Ministry of Defence has implemented a comprehensive support package, which includes the largest pay increase in 20 years, frozen daily food costs, accommodation subsidies, and extended wraparound childcare, in addition to broader cost of living support from the government.
In the previous financial year, the government provided service personnel up to the rank of one-star with a 3.75% pay rise, the largest percentage increase in two decades. However, the subsequent surge in inflation, with consumer prices rising 10.4% in February compared to the previous year, has further strained the financial situation for military personnel.
It is not just ex service personnel not being looked after by repeated governments but existing personnel too. Why are charities having to provide where governments do not?
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