Help For The Armed Forces With Debt Problems.

[Tawnyowl]

Just in case anyone from the forces comes on with debt problems help here,Debt Advice for the Armed Forces - Main Menu

Debt and your job in the Armed Forces, NHS and Fire Services

 

Working with the UK's armed forces and emergency services as a soldier, sailor, airman, doctor, nurse, police officer, fireman or paramedic means dedication to others. This dedication doesn't prevent our nations finest from getting into debt . If you get into financial diffcultys doing these jobs, it can cause a lot of problems at work.

[marie6666red]

hi tawny owl. am just nicking a bit of your post, to add something if i may. there is a site called redfridays.co.uk. this is dedicated to sending good luck messages to our troops abroad, just to show them that we all care about them and are proud of them.

to this end they are asking people all over the country to wear something red each and every friday. hence the name of the site. i thinks its brilliant and will actually visually SHOW the lads and girls how proud we all are for what they are doing.

so come on caggers, what say we all get behind them. and wear red every friday. it would certainly send a message to government. i will not only wear red, but will put something red on my house each week. a few photos sent to the lads. morale would be high.......again, sorry for jumping onto your post.

[Tawnyowl]

You are welcome,Think i will jump into this post to.I get involved in charity shows sometimes, whether its spotlights,delivering leaflets whatever,and a few weeks ago was involved in one where a young girl ice skater aged 17,who left school with 12 gcse,s got a throat infection which led to oxygen starvation,which left her blind,unable to walk and a speech impediment.The charity ice event was a sell out and raised money for her care.The performers with many who go on to Disney on ice or elsewhere in the world are amateurs about a 100 aged 4- 18,with a few household names thrown in.Well today about 5-30 am i went down there and got talking to Bobby a very well thought of manager there about this and that,nothing to do with this thread,when suddenly he said "you know what wouldnt it be a good idea to put a charity show on for the forces to show our support for the hell they are going through at the moment in far off lands"The children are allways up for a show and allready have costumes and rehearsed to a standard you wouldnt believe.The proceeds would i suppose go towards a forces charity,but would be discussed with them.This idea is in its early stages a few hours,but i feel this may snowball and the show may happen over a weekend in SEPT if given the go ahead.

[lisaf]

subbing

[marie6666red]

thats a brilliant idea. well done. i want loads to look at this sight. they arent asking for our money, or anything, just support by wearing something red every friday. they need people to spread the word so that the whole country gets behind it. that way, the troops can see, that irrespective of government spin, and media hype, the actual people of this country care what is happening to them. i intend to invade loads of caggers threads so wish me luck......and i do hope your idea comes off. god knows the sights those lads are seeing. kind regards marie

[Dorabell]

im bumping this one up

[Tawnyowl]

You are welcome,Think i will jump into this post to.I get involved in charity shows sometimes, whether its spotlights,delivering leaflets whatever,and a few weeks ago was involved in one where a young girl ice skater aged 17,who left school with 12 gcse,s got a throat infection which led to oxygen starvation,which left her blind,unable to walk and a speech impediment.The charity ice event was a sell out and raised money for her care.The performers with many who go on to Disney on ice or elsewhere in the world are amateurs about a 100 aged 4- 18,with a few household names thrown in.Well today about 5-30 am i went down there and got talking to a very well thought of manager there about this and that,nothing to do with this thread,when suddenly he said "you know what wouldnt it be a good idea to put a charity show on for the forces to show our support for the hell they are going through at the moment in far off lands"The children are allways up for a show and allready have costumes and rehearsed to a standard you wouldnt believe.The proceeds would i suppose go towards a forces charity,but would be discussed with them.This idea is in its early stages a few hours,but i feel this may snowball and the show may happen over a weekend in SEPT if given the go ahead.

Just thought i would put this on as a tribute to the brave lads and lasses of the forces.If the show doesnt happen-i havent yet got the latest information but guarantee if yes everyone will pull together and it will happen.But if it doesnt i will dedicate a dance for them feel many people feel this way the tune and dance say it all. YouTube - Hero's Figure Skating

[Tawnyowl]

The latest info on the possibilitys of a show to show our support for the brave people of the forces who are in far off lands risking their lives to keep us safe,from forces whose capability if left unchecked would in no doubt in my mind cause us harm is 99%going to happen.I have spoken today to certain people,who have allready been in touch with the army,who couldnt be more positive and helpful in their support.In many ways and ideas.I believe the Army Benevolent Fund: Home will be helped if this goes ahead.Sounds like it is now just waiting for the nod from the top that i feel sure will come this week.Once started these events snowball and everyone suddenly is on board and working hard to make it happen.Fingers crossed.Tawnyowl.

[Tawnyowl]

Confidential Support Line

 

We run an independent Confidential Support Line for the three Armed Forces . We provide support and options for Armed Service People and their families. If something is money issues are getting you down, and you feel the need to talk it over with someone outside of the chain of command, then talk to us, it's completely confidential, and we're available every day from anywhere in the world. You can talk about anything.

The line is open from 24 hours every day. Freephone lines operate from Germany, Cyprus and the UK:

• From the UK (Main Line): 0800 074 6918
  
• From Germany: 00 44 20 8371 5973
  
• From Cyprus: 00 44 20 8371 5973
  
• From anywhere in the world (Call-back) +44 20 8371 5973
  

Or You can email us via the Confidential Support Email Facility:

[email protected]

[Tawnyowl]

Well over a years gone by since Bobby mentioned his idea and unfortunately he isnt very well at the moment, but the help for the hero's event is going ahead on Sat Sept 25th 2010. 2 shows 2-30pm and 7-30 pm. Bobby is a scot and i believe this gala falls on Glasgow weekend, so i hope many of his friends are there, past and present. Blackpool is a lively place when our friends from across the border are in town. I will now post the details i have of the gala and hope some of you will be able to be there, raise the roof and show the forces how much we support them and think of them in these difficult times.Tawnyowl,see you there i hope.

First Name:

John Last Name: Holden Contact Number : 01253 794322 E-mail Address: john.holden1 [at] tiscali.co.uk Planned Event: Ice Skating Gala put on by The Blackpool Ice Twirlers and local children Number of People: 1200 at each performance Event Category: Performances Event Date: 25/09/2010 Event Time: 2.30pm and 7.30pm Fundraising Target: £3000 plus at each performance Address of the event: The Ice Arena Blackpool Pleasure Beach Blackpool Additional Info: A Charity Gala was held last year for a young local skater and raised £3000 plus in one performance and The Blackpool Ice Twirlers would like to raise funds for Help the Heroes at this year's Gala.

[Tawnyowl]

Well the http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/ event went ahead full houses.Here is one of the performances that raised money for them.I hope you enjoy it.Dedicated to all the armed forces. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiAXgAZ7xwU

[Tawnyowl]

Press Release: MP hits out at legal loan sharks for targeting British Military and calls on Government to act

 

Stella Creasy, MP for Walthamstow, today urged the Government to take action in order to stem a rising tide of debt problems among Britain’s Armed Forces after she published research by the Royal British Legion’s debt service showing a third of problems they dealt with related to unsecured debts.

Speaking after a debate in the House of Commons on services personnel today ahead of Remembrance Sunday, Stella said:

“Our Armed Forces make enormous sacrifices for the sake of our security, so it’s only right that we give them the protection they deserve from problems at home. These figures from the Royal British Legion reflect the difficult financial circumstances many of our service personnel and their families find themselves in given their unique lifestyle. My fears for their financial welfare are compounded by the evidence that payday lending companies are deliberately targeting our forces here in the UK as they did in America. Now we learn a third of all debt cases the RBL deals with involve these kinds of unsecured debts.”

“America took action by capping what soldiers could be charged for credit – I urge the Ministers to learn from them by commissioning research into the causes of financial struggle for our forces, back our call for caps on the costs of credit to protect consumers from these firms and ensure our Forces are able to access affordable credit through a dedicated army credit union. Any member of the public concerned about debt and our military could also help this campaign by signing the petition calling on the Government to end legal loan sharking and cap the costs of credit.”

ENDS

Notes

· The Royal British Legion’s dedicated Benefits and Money Advice Service helped 2,400 army personnel in their first year (2007). Last year this rose to over 11,000, and they’re predicting that this figure will keep rising.

· Nearly a third of all the clients that come to the RBL’s debt service have debt problems as a result of taking out unsecured loans. Further details of this research is available from the office of Stella Creasy.

· 63% of the RBL’s debt advice is classified as “specialist” level compared to just 12% for the CAB network.

· Quickquid– interest rate 1734% states on its special military site ““You provide security and protection for your country — shouldn’t your armour against financial problems include access to military loans when you need them?”

· Easymilitaryloans.co.uk makes a virtue of lending to service personnel with poor credit histories in the UK

· One in four people who take out payday loans need the money to buy food or essentials, with 44 per cent using them to pay off other debts. (Debt Advice Foundation, 2011)· There has been a fourfold rise in just two years in the numbers of people coming to the CAB with debt problems as a result of taking out payday loans. (Citizens Advice, 2011)· Stella Creasy is the Labour and Co-Operative MP for Walthamstow. She has been campaigning to toughen up regulation of the high-cost credit sector for over a year and is backing an e-petition calling for the Government to End Legal Loan sharking in time for Christmas 2011 by capping the cost of credit which can be found here : http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/20219

· For more information about this and the wider campaign on high-cost credit, contact Will in her office on will@workingforwalthamsto w.org.uk / 0208 521 1223.

[Tawnyowl]

Really annoys you when you see the armed forces targeted by predatory lenders.

Give these lenders a military response.mmm.

Please Sign the epetition

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/20219

[Conniff]

This thread has been move to the new Armed Forces section

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?373939-Help-For-The-Armed-Forces-With-Debt-Problems.

[Tawnyowl]

I suppose now even the military are being targeted by the predatory lenders.

Looking for the latest news.

They became such a problem for the American bases.

They clustered round them.

Laws were made and the loans were capped .

More news in a short while.

 

Well you might have guessed.

The way the lenders wriggle like ferrets in a sack to get round regulation.

From America.

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/Lenders_charge_400_percent_interest_to_members_of_the_armed_service_army_airforce_marines_navy.html

 

 

Maybe you would like to listen to it.

http://www.propublica.org/article/on-victory-drive-soldiers-defeated-by-debt#marketplace-embed

Talking about a Marine taking out a loan.

They bragged about having one million customers.

Very similar to what Wonga have just said here.

 

 

CFA Report on Military Lending Act

 

http://www.propublica.org/documents/item/700572-cfa-report-on-military-lending-act

 

"If we're serious about protecting military families from exploitation, this law has to be a lot tighter." Members of the military can lose their security clearances for falling into debt.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/Lenders_charge_400_percent_interest_to_members_of_the_armed_service_army_airforce_marines_navy.html#sqy3D51X2CmgxTmO.99

 

They say they are a force for good.

Force for good? It reminds me of Goldman Sachs who said "We're doing God's work"

 

 

The reason i am coming back to this thread is some news i just read.

Gareth Thomas, chair of Labour’s co-op wing, said they should go further in stopping people ending up in the clutches of rip-off lenders.

Ideas also include a new credit union for troops and their families modelled on the US’s Navy Federal which serves four million members of the American military.

Mr Thomas said: “We need to support our soldiers, sailors and their families hit by payday loan problems.”

 

Maybe a similar credit union coming here soon.

About Navy Federal

 

Since 1933, Navy Federal has grown from seven members to over 4 million members. And since that time, our vision statement has remained the same:

 

https://www.navyfederal.org/about/about.php

 

 

I am now trying to find out the problem here.

If there is one.

 

Debt Advice for Military Personnel

 

http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/X5875_debt_final_2011_%281%29.pdf

 

http://www.resolveuk.com/military-debt-advice.shtml

 

http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/can-we-help/benefits-and-money-advice

 

Anyone else with any news please post.

Or maybe update on anything i have put down.

Thanks.

 

 

Edited August 10, 2013 by tawnyowl