Service personnel stationed overseas will soon enjoy the same access to online goods and services as they do at home thanks to the introduction of new online postcodes this month.
The MoD, British Forces Post Office (BFPO) and Royal Mail have worked together to introduce UK-style postcodes for the 100,000 personnel and their families serving in places such as Germany, Cyprus and the Falkland Islands.
The new online postcodes will help everyone serving overseas, and their families, by improving access to products and services from the Internet, as proposed in the Armed Forces Covenant. It will also help personnel maintain a UK credit history recognised by financial service providers.
BFPO numbers are not compatible with many online ordering systems, including credit agencies. However, under the changes service personnel will be able to order products online and have better access to mortgages and credit cards.
The improvements will also mean UK businesses will be able to make their goods and services available to British Forces stationed around the world, simply by updating their online ordering systems.
Minister for Defence, Personnel, Welfare and Veterans Andrew Robathan said: “One of the aims of the Armed Forces Covenant was to minimise the impact of military life so this is another great step forward to make service life as easy as possible.”
BFPO head of policy and plans Lieutenant Colonel Ian Stark said: “For our personnel stationed abroad, this will make a big difference. BFPO and Royal Mail have created a database that opens up access to online services and the ability to carry out online transactions, whether it is shopping, registering your car or applying for a mortgage or credit card. The changes will also allow our people to build up a credit history which is recognised by financial service providers.”
Royal Mail chief customer officer Mike Newnham added: “Royal Mail is intensely proud of its strong and enduring links with the British Forces and we are delighted we have played our part in implementing this important initiative. We understand how much service personnel and their families based overseas value being able to shop online and how they will benefit from gaining access to a range of online services too. We have been working closely with the BFPO to develop an address and postcode structure consistent with Royal Mail’s Postcode Address File that will provide businesses with the opportunity to make these services available.”
