The changes, affecting all service personnel under the age of 45, are part of the government's plans to cut the cost of public sector pensions.

BBC: Pension reforms for military outlined by MoD

Cuts to personnel, both uniformed and in the civil service, are also affecting morale in many parts of the services and in the MoD itself.

BBC: Caroline Wyatt: Political challenges of defence future

Japan Airlines said it, too, would withdraw its Dreamliners from service for Wednesday and Thursday, affecting 1, 450 and 650 passengers respectively.

WSJ: FAA Grounds U.S. Boeing 787 Dreamliner Flights

Dame Carol recommended that the new service offer advice on issues which might be affecting a person's ability to do their job, such as debt or difficulty with their line manager.

BBC: Pilot scheme tackles long-term sickness absence

It was announced over the last two weeks that 18 National Health Service (NHS) care homes would close, affecting 307 residents.

BBC: Edwin Poots apologises for care home closures 'stress'

Fire chiefs also said the service was not "immune from the financial situation that is affecting the whole of the public sector".

BBC: Llanelli fire station: Authority to discuss shift row

The NUJ said the BBC was planning around 30 compulsory redundancies, affecting areas including BBC Scotland, the Asian Network, the World Service and English regions.

BBC: staff to strike over cuts

The sergeant major of the Army advises top Army leaders on issues affecting the 400, 000 enlisted soldiers who constitute the bulk of the service.

CNN: Army removes McKinney from top post

Until opening the office last October she says they had "resisted" expanding the service to deal with out-of-hours calls having seen research about detrimental effects on people working nights, affecting health and attitude, which could also impact on customers.

BBC: North East Wales