18 replies to this topic

[mattdc2r]

Anyone on here in the Armed Forces and able to explain why this Government funded innitiative isn't available to us?
I've sked the question many times and never mnaged to get an answer. Last time I asked an RAF Wing Commander (Lt Colonel equivelant) from Admin and even she was stumped for an answer. Was told she'd get back to me, but never did. Typical politicins answer lol.

Cheers.

[glyn]

That's mad you can't get he scheme, we can (fire service) and there are some places that really do you a good deal i just need to find the right bike and warrant getting one then i'm defiantly getting one.

[Ethel]

I bet Boris 'n Dave got theirs.

What a ridiculously complex 'n gimmicky scheme, it could even top Scrappage.


As it involves income tax, I guess it would involve AFPO Glasgow you should have contact details on your payslip.

That or drop THe Sun 'n Daily Wail a line about another MT outrage

[Tomar2]

My friends who own pads at work are trying to get this. I can't remember what a clark said but one of them got an answer as to why armed forces arent entitled, but it sounded like a load of rubbish. Ask who ever's in charge of admin at your place, and they should be able to dig up the right documents to make the excuse sound as vague and confusing as possible

[mattdc2r]

I think it may have something to do with our Pay and administration system JPA. It's crap. I believe civilian compnies use a similar system, it's just we signed up for the bargain bucket version lol.

[glyn]

you could always get a mate who can do it through there work to do it for you and pay them (possibly not kosher but hey ho)

[leadly]

The cycle to work scheme has just come in at my place. (East Midlands Trains)

Other than pay issuses for some service men the only other thing I could think of for them not letting you is in most cases people wouldn't actually be cycling to work. I know if my mate Brett wanted to cycle it'd take him days rather than a few hours in his RX-8.

[davidv]

No idea You All should get a Free one.Keep Pushing till you do.

[mattdc2r]

This is what I have found via Google:
EXCLUSIONS
Employees of charities, universities, the armed forces and many parts of the NHS are usually denied a VAT saving.
Plus, if you don't have a PAYE salary, you can't take part in a Cycle To Work salary sacrifice scheme. The only bike saving for a self-employed person would be to buy a bike via the business and reclaim the VAT, if VAT registered that is.

But it doeswn't explain why. Maybe it's just the sheer cost of having 90% of the Armed forces signing up for a VAT free bike, as it'd be the Government that has to pay for them in the first place.

[Ethel]

From looking at the site, if it says you can't have the VAT back it's saying you can use the scheme. If you worked for a private company they would also be allowed to reclaim the VAT. Charities, educational establishments, the NHS and MoD don't pay VAT so they can't reclaim it, but you can still have the other components based on income tax etc.

[davidv]

Well checked above E. They Should get one we need them Fit.

[Ethel]

Well they do get paid to go to the gym and physical fitness is part of their conditions of employment.

If the country's broke I don't see why we need to give anyone a discount bike, you're going to be quids in anyway by pedalling and if you're making more than the minimum wage you can probably afford a bike good enough for the job.

I wouldn't grumble as much if they did NHS bikes - like the specs they used to - at least that'd stop overpaid executives scamming a cheap Xmas prezzie for their kid.

[wardyxxx]

Dun't get it in the navy.

And JPA is pantssssssssssssssssssssssssss.

[davidv]

O Boy and fire men need a water Pistol and a water meter on every truck.
The NHS specs are so bad you can not even see a Job.
The Police should by there own Cars and Toys .
Mel Gison is Short of Cash.
Rob U Williams said take That again We call Him Norman Wisdom.
And?/

[camp freddy]

if you are on a base you wouldn't need to cycle to work, surely....

I work for a coach builders which is owned by the CO-OP and they won't honour
it either....