Vital Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) personnel who support Royal
Navy operations across the globe are to receive an
above-inflationary pay rise, alongside improved conditions,
following acceptance of a new pay offer by RFA seafarers and
maritime trade unions.
The pay offer which has been agreed with maritime trade unions,
includes a 4.5% pay rise from 1 April 2025 and a 3.6% pay rise
from 1 April 2026, alongside improvements to leave arrangements
that will allow RFA personnel to earn more time off for periods
spent at sea, a one-off leave buy-back arrangement, and a
£250 one-off payment.
During a visit to Portland Port today (28 July), the Minister for
Veterans and People, MBE MP welcomed the pay
rise for hard working and crucial staff,
while meting crews aboard RFA TIDESPRING and RFA MOUNTS
BAY.
During the visit he thanked personnel for their
service, discussed workforce challenges and heard how the
RFA is preparing for the future, including crewing
the Fleet Solid Support Ships.
Speaking from Portland, the Minister for Veterans and
People, MBE MP, said:
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a vital part of the Royal Navy and
contributes directly to the UK's national security through their
crucial work across the world.
This agreement recognises the unique contribution that RFA
members make to the Royal Navy and provides a strong
foundation for the future as the organisation prepares to
crew the next generation of support ships.
We thank the Maritime Trade Unions for their support in reaching
a resolution.
Both the RMT and Nautilus unions confirmed that RFA seafarers had
accepted the pay offer.
The RFA is a civilian-crewed fleet owned by the Ministry of
Defence that provides vital logistical and operational support to
the Royal Navy. RFA personnel deliver fuel, supplies, ammunition
and other essential support to UK and allied vessels around the
world, enabling Royal Navy ships to remain deployed and conduct
operations globally.
During the visit, the Minister toured RFA TIDESPRING, which
recently returned from a Carrier Strike Group deployment to the
High North, and RFA MOUNTS BAY, which is preparing for operations
later this year.
RFA TIDESPRING, a Tide-class tanker, supports the Queen
Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers as part of the UK Carrier
Strike Group and deployed with HMS Prince of Wales to the
Indo-Pacific last year. RFA MOUNTS BAY supports amphibious
operations and exercises, ensuring embarked Royal Marines and
their supplies can be delivered ashore wherever they are
needed.
Both maritime trade unions have confirmed that, alongside
accepting the pay offer, they will continue to work with the RFA
on further modernisation, including exploring ways to
increase leave entitlements for seafarers and developing pay
arrangements that better reflect the unique nature of RFA
service.
The agreement forms part of the Government's programme to improve
recruitment, retention and workforce conditions across
Defence. These include a third consecutive above-inflation pay
rise, worth 14.1% since July 2024, a £9.2 billion Defence Housing
Strategy to modernise service accommodation, a new
wraparound childcare scheme saving eligible families up to £6,000
a year, and the appointment of the first Armed Forces
Commissioner.
The agreement is expected to support recruitment and retention
across the RFA, helping ensure it is well placed to meet future
operational demands, including crewing the Fleet Solid Support
Ships that will support the Royal Navy's Carrier Strike Group and
global operations.
