Report: Heidi Mines

SERVICEMEN and women have received a pay increase despite global and national economic hardship in a move to recognise the current operational tempo.

All military personnel gained an additional 2.8 per cent in their pay packets last month following key recommendations in the 2009 report of the Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body (AFPRB).

There were also hikes in key allowances and rates of pay for specialist trades in a move to reward troops for their steadfast courage and commitment.

The pay deal equates to a gross increase per year of between approximately £350 and £1,200 for soldiers and around £400 and £2,700 for officers.

The scale of the award means that, for the third consecutive year, the Armed Forces’ pay rise is among the highest in the public sector.

The report recognised the effect of high-intensity operations on soldiers and their families and the Longer Separation Allowance (LSA) has grown by almost three per cent as a result. In addition, the qualifying period for the payment has reduced by 60 days for each of the 14 levels.

An enhancement in existing Commitment Bonus (CB) arrangements worth an additional £2,500 was also endorsed to help address the disparity in payment between the new CB scheme, worth up to £15,000, and the existing one.

Chief of the General Staff, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, said the increase was welcome and paid tribute to the Army’s continued commitment to operations.

He added: “We are all aware of the global and national financial position; therefore I am encouraged that this pay award continues to recognise the professionalism, commitment and sacrifice of the Army on operations.”

The report singled out all forms of specialist pay, including Reserve bands, which has been uplifted by 2.8 per cent. In addition, new specialist pay for nurses has been introduced.

And in line with the significant level of responsibility associated with promotion to sergeant, deals of a minimum five per cent increase in basic pay, which will kick in at promotion, have been implemented.

With Reserve forces now crucial to operational capability, bounties and call-out gratuity have all increased, with a hike of almost three per cent.

In a bid to tackle problems with Service accommodation, the rental element of charges to grade one Service Families Accommodation (SFA) and Single Living Accommodation (SLA) has risen by almost four per cent.

The independent AFPRB outlined lower graduated increases to rental charges for grades two and three and no addition to grade four. It stated: “The MoD fully recognises the need to provide good quality Service accommodation but an historical lack of investment means that more than half of all Service personnel live in poor accommodation.

“Our approach to charges reflects the current scope for, and pace of, delivery of improvements to SLA and SFA and insufficient improvement in maintenance services.”
There has also been an increase in the bill for utilities. Charges for water and sewage in SFA have seen an increase ranging from 2.1 per cent to 4.4 per cent, while the cost for water, heat and light in SLA accommodation has risen by 2.4 per cent and 5.9 per cent.

But despite the increases to Army personnel’s living costs, Gen Dannatt stated the report had recognised the pressure that Service families face during long periods of separation and concern.

He added: “Monetary reward is but part of the way that a government and a nation acknowledges the work that soldiers do on their behalf. But this pay increase, at a time of high operational tempo and tight fiscal conditions, is very welcome.”

All of the findings were implemented in full on April 1 and soldiers should have seen the impact of the pay award in their wage packets at the end of last month.