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Metfriendly Police Family Finance Index Report - March 2024

The cost of living crisis continues to impact the police, with more than half (56%) saying that their financial situation is having a high level of impact on their mental health, according to a new report from police family finance experts, Metfriendly.

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Budget 2024: the biggest changes and what they mean for you

The Government has unveiled its latest Budget. Here are some of the key talking points and what they could mean for you. 

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What Police Officers need to know about the Autumn 2023 Statement

Earlier this week, the Government announced their latest financial plans. These will affect National Insurance and pensions which impact both Police Officers and their families. 

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How to make the most of Black Friday this year

Black Friday this year is 24th November. Love it or hate it, it's hard not to be tempted to scour the internet for a deal.

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Metfriendly Police Family Finance Index Autumn 2023 Survey

It's that time of the year when we run the Police Family Finance Index research again and would appreciate your support.

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Police Officers to receive 7% pay rise

Police Officers are set to receive a 7% pay rise from September 1st, but how will it affect your finances?

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CEO blog: Camps, pants and elephants (AKA “summer holidays”) July 2023

Metfriendly CEO Annette Petchey talks about the expense of family life, in particular during the school summer holidays.

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Metfriendly Police Family Finance Index Report 2023

The cost of living is hitting the pockets of UK Police hard. The vast majority are saying they have financial concerns and some are missing meals due to lack of money, according to the latest findings in the Police Family Finance Index from Metfriendly.

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Light the Lakes 2023

Light the Lakes - Conquering peaks in remembrance of fallen colleagues. We’re proud to be supporting Light the Lakes with our 2023 photo competition.

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How the 2023 Spring Budget affected your Police Pension

Following the 2023 Spring Budget, new plans and restrictions are coming into place for the 2023/24 financial year that will directly affect Police Officers.

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Casey Review, the Q word, and being Totes Emosh – April 2023

My most recent ride-along was actually more of a walk-along, as I went out with two Paired Patrols from Charing Cross Police Station’s Neighbourhood Policing team at the invitation of Insp. Greig Baker-Doyle.

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2023 Spring Budget announced: how will it affect you?

The Government has revealed its latest financial plans in the Budget, with headline announcements regarding pensions, childcare costs and energy bills support.

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“Difficult” is not the word – February 2023

I haven’t been on a Ride-Along for a while, so when Supt. Dan Rutland invited me to visit Central East Basic Command Unit (BCU), I was delighted to accept.

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Metfriendly's Christmas Quiz 2022 - the results

The results are in! From heartwarming stories to the three wise men, here are the responses to this year’s Christmas Quiz.

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Metfriendly Police Family Finance Index Report 2022

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2022 Autumn Statement: How the new changes affect your finances

The Government has announced a new set of measures that will affect the finances of working people.

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How to feed the family for less and stretch your money further

At the moment, money is a difficult point of conversation for a lot of us. The amount of stress within the Police Service is concerning, with some having missed meals and others giving money to colleagues to make sure they can eat.

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How you can help your grandchildren reach their biggest goals in life

As today's younger generations face a range of challenges in their financial lives, grandparents can play a vital role in helping their family members reach their goals and milestones.

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Scams - stay one step ahead of the scammers

“I’m concerned about the increased media coverage of frauds and scams– what are the key areas I should be aware of?”

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Mini-budget reversals: what's changed and what it means for you

The Government has announced a reversal of several of the measures in its mini-budget which will affect people’s finances.

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Mini-budget confirms changes to NI, income tax and stamp duty

The Government has announced a mini-budget featuring a range of measures that will affect working people's finances, including a reduction in income tax.

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Police receive £1,900 salary increase

The Government has introduced a £1,900 salary uplift for all Police Officers in England and Wales, which equates to a 5% overall pay award across all ranks and pay points.

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Choices in your Police career that can set you up for life

Since 1893, Metfriendly has been dedicated to helping serving and retired UK Police and their relatives. For Officers and Staff, we're here for you from the moment you begin life in the Service, helping to improve your financial circumstances, through to when you leave and beyond, just like we were[..]

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It’s not often you get free money from the Government

Mark is 35, been in the job for over 15 years, and has been saving with Metfriendly since he started his career with the Police.

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Light the Lakes - Conquering peaks in remembrance of fallen colleagues

We’re proud to be supporting Light the Lakes with our 2022 photo competition.

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Spring Statement 2022: Cost of living to increase as inflation soars

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced the Spring Statement of 2022 in the House of Commons on Wednesday (23rd March).

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Black Rats and The Fatal Four - March 2022

"I have worked in a lot of organisations over the years, and it is rare to see an objective so clearly drive the vast majority of activity and time."

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Investing in uncertain times (March 2022)

As we have witnessed significant volatility in stock markets around the world linked to events in Ukraine we have been looking at ways to help our Members understand the impact of such financial movements on their Metfriendly investments.

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Seeing another side: Police culture – February 2022

I have been Metfriendly’s CEO for 10 months now, and my education in what the Police Family does is continuing with several meetings and other occasions.

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Benefits for ALL of the Police Family

Metfriendly are here to help improve your financial wellbeing. With the cost of living on the rise, it's important not to let things get out of hand, so now might be the time to review your finances and make changes. Why not look to Metfriendly to help you make some financial improvements?

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Metfriendly's Festive Quiz 2021 - the results are in...

The results of our Christmas Quiz are in, shedding light on everything from the best bits about policing at this time of year to your resolutions for 2022.

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Talking money and planning your financial future

November 8th to 12th 2021 was Talk Money Week, an event organised by the Money & Pensions Service to encourage people to open up and start having conversations about financial matters.

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Talking Money

We have come to the end of Talk Money Week, and I was delighted that we were able to address so many of the concerns raised by our friends in the Police.

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Autumn Budget 2021: Public sector pay freeze lifted

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a planned increase in pay for public sector workers in the Budget.

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The 2022 Metfriendly Calendar

Once again we've produced our calendar in support of the London Retired Police Dogs Trust (LRPD) and it features stunning images of retired Police Dogs at iconic London locations.

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From stamp duty to savings: planning to buy your first home

To help you plan your first steps on the property ladder, we look at market trends, schemes and services that will help you make the most of your money.

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Class A Scuttle – October 2021

When I write these blogs, I usually focus on my own life events, my family, and money rather than our members. This time is different because of an opportunity I was given recently, so please forgive my digression.

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New protractor? Return to school is a repeated, protracted expense, more like - Sept 2021

It’s the end of September, which means I have survived another year’s “return to school” challenge.

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The Latest Buzz – July 2021

I have learned a lot from bees. I started keeping bees for almost entirely selfish reasons. I love honey and my late neighbour, a longstanding beekeeper, encouraged me to stop raiding his supplies, and start building my own.

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"Neither a lender nor a borrower be" – June 2021

I keep finding myself saying things to my two children that my parents said to me and my siblings as we were growing up.

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My New (Tax) Year’s Resolutions – April 2021

It was great to finally see some family and friends over Easter after the long winter lockdown and the sunshine on Sunday really helped lift my spirits.

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Saving for future plans and your family’s financial security

Getting into good savings habits can help you achieve financial security and reach all sorts of life goals, from going on holiday (when restrictions are eased and you have more freedom to travel) to buying a home.

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The new 95% mortgage guarantee scheme: what you need to know

The Government is set to launch a 95% mortgage guarantee scheme. Find out what you need to know about the plan and what it could mean for you.

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Budget 2021: Headlines and talking points

The Government has announced its Budget for 2021-22. We take a look at some of the key talking points and what they could mean for you.

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Hook, line and sinker – some things are just too good to be true

In these uncertain times, many of us are looking for something to cheer us up and keep us going, however we all need to be careful about what we get ourselves into, as without proper forethought, we may end up in a situation we do not want to be in.

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How LRPD Trust works to give police dogs the retirement they deserve

The London Retired Police Dogs Trust has overcome the challenges of 2020 to do some amazing work in support of retired police dogs and their owners.

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The Metfriendly Christmas Quiz 2020 - the results are in...

Metfriendly's 2020 Christmas Quiz provided some fascinating insights into everything from police officers' thoughts on the past year, to hopes and ambitions for 2021.

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Over 10 years into retirement... my thoughts on saving and Metfriendly

It's over ten years since I retired from the Metropolitan Police Service, and things have changed quite a bit for me.

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The Team Police Advent Challenge

Of course it's the time of year to be stuffing our faces with turkey and pigs in blankets, but this year why not try something different with the Team Police Advent Challenge?

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The power of friendship – November 2020

Last week I hosted a wine tasting on Zoom for a friend of mine who is a member of a wine club. What does a wine tasting have to do with Metfriendly I hear you ask?

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Why it’s good to have a (10 year) plan - October 2020

A quirk of Metfriendly being a Friendly Society is that some of the products it offers are unique to friendly Societies, like the Ten Year Savings plan.

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Message from your Chair, Joanna Young

I’ve spent the last few days reflecting on the National Police Memorial Day online service and wanted to share my thoughts with you as part of communications in my role as your Chair.

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Lessons from the Byrne Family financial cookbook! September 2020

Nick’s recent blog: “Things I wish I could say to my younger self” has had lots of positive feedback within the Metfriendly community and if you haven’t read it yet it’s definitely worth a look. I particularly like the idea of not spending all of your pay rise – definitely a sensible idea. As Nick[..]

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Things I wish I could say to my younger self

It's normal for us to want the best for future generations and those we're close to. Often that involves thinking about what we would say to our younger selves and offering a few words of wisdom.

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ISA Flavours - August 2020

It’s coming to the end of August and, despite the pandemic, for many of us its traditionally the time for family holidays and ice cream at the seaside. This month rather than talking about flavours of ice cream (Häagen-Dazs Salted Caramel for me!), I’ve been asked by a friend about different[..]

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Police pay to rise by 2.5% in 2020-21

The Government has announced a 2.5% increase in police officer pay for 2020-21, matching the rise awarded last year.

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Five easy steps to make the most of your money - July 2020

Month 1 – How to perform a quick and simple money health check.

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Covid mini-budget: what does it mean for you?

The Government has published a mini-budget designed to boost the economy amid Covid-19. Find out what the new measures could mean for you and your money.

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Investment Insight - June 2020

What does the potential transfer of Police Mutual to Royal London mean for Metfriendly members?

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The Eighth Wonder of the World - May 2020

Albert Einstein is quoted as saying “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it ... he who doesn't ... pays it.” He then went on to describe it as the “most powerful force in the universe”.

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Managing stress and looking after your mental health

April is Stress Awareness Month, an event that aims to raise awareness of the "causes and cures for our modern stress epidemic".

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Investment Insight - April 2020

As I sit writing this investment update, I’m at my desk looking out at the river at home rather than the town centre in the office in Orpington. We have all had to adapt to the unusual circumstances we find ourselves in.

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COVID 19 – Money issues, guides and tips

The current situation with regard to COVID 19 is causing a lot of anxiety and fear throughout the country but can also be causing some financial distress to some. Below are some guides, tips and links to information that might be useful to you or your family.

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COVID-19: Helping others and managing your money

As the COVID-19 outbreak takes its toll on British life and the economy, what can you do to help others and keep your own finances in check?

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COVID-19 update: a message from Metfriendly CEO Kathy Byrne

I wanted to give you an update on the impact of COVID-19 on Metfriendly. Our business is operating as normal and we are coordinating our response to the virus to ensure we can continue to deliver for our members, look after the health of our employees and maintain the continuity of our business.

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Budget 2020: The talking points

Rishi Sunak has delivered his first Budget as Chancellor of the Exchequer, outlining the Government's financial plans for the 2020-21 fiscal year. The announcement was overshadowed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which has affected stock markets around the world in the past few weeks.

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Your Money Questions

Metfriendly's Kathy, (centre) along with Debbie (left) and Angela (right), both presenters at our Options seminars, were recently set some interesting questions by London Police Pensioner Magazine.

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Our 2019 Christmas quiz: The results

We’re delighted to announce the results of this year's quiz, revealing what our members really think about Christmas and what they're looking forward to in 2020.

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Getting to know Metfriendly's Simon

Metfriendly new joiner Simon Horgan talks about why he’s passionate about helping police officers.

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Election result boosts markets

The Conservatives' big win in the 2019 general election provided the clarity that many people in the UK were hoping for, boosting financial markets in the process.

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Supporting the London Retired Police Dogs Trust

We're proud to support new charity the London Retired Police Dogs Trust, with whom we've produced our calendar.

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Help to Buy and the Metfriendly Lifetime ISA explained

"I have a Help to Buy ISA of over £4,000, but the Lifetime ISA looks better, what do I do now?"

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Boost your savings with a 25% government bonus

With Help to Buy ISAs closed to new savers as of November 30th 2019, many people will be looking at other products to help them save up money for a deposit on a first home. One option is the Lifetime ISA. Likewise, if your child has a Child Trust Fund set to mature from next year onwards, it's[..]

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9 Most Frequently-Asked Police Pay Questions

With the recent release of the 2019/20 pay scales for Police Officers across the UK, here we offer a brief FAQ to address some of the most common questions surrounding police pay.

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Getting to know Metfriendly's Joey

Our newest recruit, Joey, spoke to us about his role at Metfriendly, his parents' careers in the police and his financial plans for the future.

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Getting on to the housing ladder in London

The property market can be a challenging place to find value, but with the right knowledge and research, you can secure a great deal.

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Police Pay Award 2019/20 Announced

The Government has announced a 2.5% pay award for police officers in 2019/20, coming into effect from 1 September 2019.

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All you Need to Know About the Police Payslip

You get your payslip – and your eyes go straight to the bottom right-hand corner. How much did you get! And fair enough too – but just what do all those other parts mean?

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Our Light the Lakes 2019 Photo Competition

This year we are proud to be supporting Light the Lakes.

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Metfriendly is an official sponsor of the Met Police Choir

We're delighted to announce that Metfriendly is now a proud sponsor of the Met Police Choir.

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What to consider when investing the lump sum from your police pension?

We're all guilty of spending time dreaming about retiring. This is particularly true when you've had a stressful day in the police service.

If you are actually approaching retirement from the police in the next few years there are so many things you will be thinking about. One of the most important[..]

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What future will your kids have?

Good, stable well-paid jobs can be very hard to come by, even for university graduates – and competition is fierce. Then there’s buying a home – each year more and more young adults are giving up on what was once a reasonably straight-forward decision.

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Join the Met Police Rugby Club on Mondays for touch rugby

The Met Police Rugby Club host Touch Rugby sessions at Imber Court on Monday nights from 7pm and you are invited to join.

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We're proud sponsors of the Memorial Flame at Hendon

Metfriendly have proudly sponsored the Memorial Flame at Hendon Regional Learning Centre since its inception in 2016.

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Should I draw a lump sum from my police pension?

This is just one of the questions you may be asking yourself on the run up to your retirement from the police service. So, if you’re looking for information to help you answer this and any other burning questions you might have, start here.

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The Metropolitan Police is celebrating 100 years of female police officers

We would like to say thanks to female officers for their commitment and dedication to policing over the last century.

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8 Financial Planning Tips for Home Ownership

Make plans for getting the keys to your own home.

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What is a Lifetime ISA?

Buying your first home is exciting. But saving the deposit for your first home may seem more like a far off dream. Could a Lifetime ISA help you realise your dream more quickly? Here we explain what you need to know in order for you to take advantage of your options.

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The first-time buyer’s guide to finding a mortgage deal

Now is a good time to be looking for your first home. First-time buyers have been helped by the recent stamp duty tax breaks and savings schemes like the Lifetime ISA.

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Metfriendly appoints Kathy Byrne as CEO

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Kathy Byrne as the Society's next Chief Executive Officer.

Kathy Byrne has been appointed as Metfriendly’s new Chief Executive Officer and will take over the role from interim CEO Mark Myers as of 1st January 2019. Mark has led the Society since[..]

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How To Choose the Right ISA

Once upon a time your ISA choices were straightforward. But now there are a lot of different types of ISAs on the market and choosing which one is right for you is a lot harder.

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Teaching your kids about money

Teaching your kids about finance early can be a great way to set them up to be sensible spenders in adulthood.

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125 years of Serving the Met!

In 2018 we celebrated 125 years of Metfriendly.

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Our Christmas quiz results are in...

The results of our Christmas Quiz are in and they paint a very festive picture for police officers in the UK.

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Preparing the police family for retirement

Retirement may seem like a dream, however, it's important to ensure you are prepared for it to make the dream a reality.

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Tips for buying a secondhand car

Buying a secondhand car can be a complicated process, but our handy tips can make sure you have all the information you need to get a great deal.

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As a police officer, are you claiming your full tax relief?

Understanding where the taxman could owe you money can be a positive way to help safeguard your finances and ensure you're keeping hold of more of your pay every month.

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​10 Steps to Better Budgeting at Christmas

Christmas is a particularly busy time for the police, and with so many public events and celebrations it’s easy to forget about everyday concerns.

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Autumn Budget offers plenty of positives for police officers

Police officers can benefit greatly from a number of announcements made in October's Autumn Budget.

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Our Honorary President

We are proud to have the UK's most senior police officer as our Honorary President.

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Metfriendly is now an official sponsor of the Metropolitan Police RFC

We're excited to announce that this season, we're sponsoring the Metropolitan Police Rugby Football Club

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National Police Memorial Day 2018

We pay our respects to those Officers that tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.

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Supporting Officers at Notting Hill Carnival 2018

This year at Notting Hill Carnival, we supplied Officers with our very own branded water bottles to ensure they kept hydrated throughout the day.

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Wills & Estate Planning: Have you planned effectively for the future?

Effectively planning for the future means understanding the importance of having a will and knowing precisely what will happen to your assets and property after you die.

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Police Pay Award 2018/19 Announced

The Government has announced a 2% pay award for police officers in 2018/19, effective from 1 September 2018. Our useful guide offers clear information on how salaries are affected for officers at each rank and pay point.

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Careers after the police: How to be prepared for a new adventure

Police officers approaching retirement should not be apprehensive for the future, as there are many fantastic opportunities that await you after leaving the service.

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How to help fund your child’s university education

If like many parents and grandparents you are considering how you can help cover the cost of university we have put together some top tips to help you start planning and saving.

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How much will it cost to buy my first home?

There are so many things to consider when buying your first home. Saving your deposit is likely to be your main concern but there are other fees and charges that you should be aware of so that you can build them into your overall budget.

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7 steps to help you reach your long-term savings goals

The latest research from Aldermore’s 2017 Annual Savings Tracker reveals

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How to calculate your monthly savings potential with the 50/30/20 budget

Working in the police service is demanding. Shift patterns and dealing with difficult situations make daily life hectic.

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20 ​Police Pension Terms you should know​

A police pension is an attractive feature of working as a member of the force, but like any complex financial scheme the details can seem confusing.

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​Don't let surprise bills eat into your police pay

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a police constable on the beat or a chief superintendent; a bill you didn’t budget for always hurts. 

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16 Discounted Ways to Relax and Unwind

Like anyone with a stressful job, people working in the police service need ways to relax and unwind - however, hobbies can be expensive.

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How to Save for a First Home with a Lifetime ISA

Saving for a first home can be a challenge for anyone - even couples with an above-average income.

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Financial Capability Week 2017: 6 Ways to Budget More Effectively

Financial Capability Week 2017 (FinCap 2017) aims to teach the UK how to become more financially capable and better at budgeting, all year round.

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The 9 Most Frequently-Asked Police Pay Questions

Here we attempt to answer many of the common questions to do with police pay. To help us we’ve enlisted the services of Metfriendly Board member Joanna Young.

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Does Met Federation Reg 28 Offer you Enough Cover?

Whether you are just starting your career with the police service or you’ve been a member of the police community for years, there are some questions which you should never ignore.

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Police Pay Award 2017/18 Announced

On 12 September 2017, the government announced a 2% pay award for police officers in 2017/18. Our handy guide will show you how salaries for each rank and paypoint have been affected.

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This Inspiring Video Shows Why you Should Protect your Income

You never know what financial event life will throw at you next. On the one hand, a man buying a scratchcard has no idea that he is about to become a jackpot winner. On the other, an off-duty police officer riding a motorcycle has no idea that she is about to lose her ability to work until the[..]

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Seven Ways to Get on the Property Ladder in London Faster

It’s now harder than ever for police officers, staff and their families to get onto the property ladder in London, with house prices at an all-time high and continuing to rise, and risk-averse mortgage companies cautious about lending to anyone who doesn’t have a sizeable deposit.

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Ten Reasons to Stay in the CARE Pension Scheme

When you’re young and carefree, retirement can seem a long way off. So it can be tempting to choose to opt out of the police pensions scheme.

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Five Tips for Planning your Retirement from the Police

Fortunately, most members of the police services should have a reasonably good pension pot by the time they come to retirement so you don't have to rely solely on the state pension.

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How to Improve your Credit Rating

Your credit score is one of the most important numbers you should be aware of. Unless you have won Euromillions, or happen to be the Duke of Westminster, at some point in your future you will probably need to access credit.

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Meet our Members

Knowing our members and your career and financial priorities is at the heart of what we do at Metfriendly.

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Financial Concerns of London's Police Officers and Staff

We recently interviewed 664 Met Police Officers and staff. By speaking to you we learned not only about the pressures of your job, but we also got an in-depth understanding of your financial life. 

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ITV's Martin Lewis talking about the Lifetime ISA

We were very excited to watch finance expert Martin Lewis discussing the Lifetime ISA on the ITV This Morning programme (Thursday 6 April 2017).

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