AFC0063

Written evidence submitted anonymously.

Works well:

Consent to Let. Many UK military may become ‘accidental landlords’ through posting to a new location and wanting to retain their current property. Most large banks will allow military members a ‘Consent to Let’ their property on their current residential mortgage, with no additional charge or interest rate amendment. This is much appreciated by those in that category.

Works poorly:

BFPO Address Recognition. There is lack of recognition for British Forces Post Office (BFPO) Addresses from both private and public sector agencies as a legitimate UK address. This makes it very difficult for those overseas to maintain bank accounts, insurance, credit history etc, without relying on another family member’s address or having a blank period in their UK footprint. As an example, a senior commissioned officer posted overseas was recently unable to verify my son’s first passport application photo, because his UK address was a BFPO address, and rejected by HM Passport Office.

Respect and Reward. Having been based in the US where the military are revered and respected, it is a stark contrast in the UK where for example, military are advised not to wear uniform openly off-base for fear of retribution from the public. This difference is also evident in the way military are treated by private companies. For example, most if not all US companies are required to provide for the military with break-clauses in leases or credit agreements owing to military service. With significant military discounts also often available. The same cannot be said of the UK bar the occasional token gesture.

Stamp Duty. Moving location is a regular and necessary military occurrence. The new Stamp Duty rules are excessively punitive on those military members who wish to live in their own, owned property on moving to a new location, but keep their current property because they may well live in it again on a future posting. The additional Stamp Duty Tax on second homes gives no dispensation or leeway for those caught in this military induced predicament.

24th January 2025