Above Inflation Pay Boost
Fri, February 07, 2003
Source: MoD Navy
The Armed Forces will receive an above inflation pay boost, the Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon announced today
The Armed Forces will receive an above inflation pay boost, the Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon announced today.
In making their recommendations the Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB) has taken into account a number of considerations, including recruitment, retention and motivation of the Armed Forces and have recommended an increase in basic military salary of 3.2% with the exception of those Privates/Lance Corporals (Able Rates) and their equivalents on the lower pay range who will receive 3.7%.
In addition, the AFPRB has targeted Longer Separated Service Allowance (LSSA) and Longer Service at Sea Bonus (LSSB) which are designed to compensate for separation and endorsed MOD proposals to reduce the LSSA qualifying period from 18 to 12 months. The AFPRB has also endorsed the MOD's proposals for targeted Financial Retention Incentives from 1 April 2003 for certain submariners, Royal Signals personnel, and RAF Airmen Aircrew and a "golden hello" for submariners.
These recommendations fully support the Armed Forces strategic personnel policies, in particular in relation to recruitment and retention. The additional cost to the Defence Budget will be £266M. This will be met within existing Departmental Expenditure Limits. The AFPRB's recommendations are to be accepted in full, with implementation effective from 1 April 2003 with the exception of the changes to LSSA and LSSB, which will be implemented with effect from 1 March 2003.
Commenting on the pay award Geoff Hoon said:
"This pay increase is thoroughly deserved. We ask a lot of our armed forces and they never fail to deliver, however challenging the circumstances".
Speaking on behalf of all three Service chiefs, Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, Chief of Defence Staff said:
"I am pleased that the Government has recognised the exceptional contribution that the Armed Forces make."
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