(Secretary of State for
Defence): I am today announcing the Government’s
decision on pay rises for the Armed Forces.
The Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body (AFPRB) has made its
recommendation for the 2018-19 pay award of 2.9%. We are
accepting the spirit of this recommendation with a 2% increase to
pay (implemented in September salaries, backdated to 1 April
2018) and, in addition, a 0.9% non-consolidated one-off payment
(implemented later in the year, also back dated to 1 April 2018).
Today’s pay award will deliver an annual increase to starting
salaries of £520 for an officer and £370 for a newly trained
solider, sailor or airman or woman. This is in addition to the
non-contributory pension and access to incremental pay
progression.
The AFPRB has also made recommendations on rises and changes to
other targeted forms of remuneration, and on increases to food
and accommodation charges, which have been accepted. Where
applicable, these rate changes will also be backdated to 1 April
2018.
The Government is committed to world class public services and
ensuring that public sector workers are fairly paid for the
vitally important work that they do. It is thanks to our balanced
approach to public finances - getting debt falling as a share of
our economy, while investing in our vital services and keeping
taxes low - that we are today able to announce a fair and
deserved pay rise for the Armed Forces, their biggest increase
since 2010.
We ended the 1% average pay policy in September 2017, because we
recognised more flexibility is now required to deliver world
class public services including in return for improvements to
public sector productivity.
We value the role of the independent Pay Review Bodies and thank
them for their work in considering pay awards. In reaching a
final position for 2018-19 public sector pay awards, we have
balanced a need to recognise the value and dedication of our
hard-working public servants whilst ensuring that our public
services remain affordable in the long term, to contribute to our
objective of reducing public sector debt. We have also sought to
ensure that pay awards are fair and consistent across public
sector workforces, reflect existing pay and benefit packages, in
addition to recruitment and retention levels.
It is vital that we consider all pay awards in light of wider
pressures on public spending. Public sector pay needs to be fair
both for public sector workers and the taxpayer. Around a quarter
of all public spending is spent on pay and we need to ensure that
our public services remain affordable for the future.
It is also vital that our world class public services continue
modernising to meet rising demand for the incredible services
they provide, which improve our lives and keep us safe.
