MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
News Release (067/2009) issued by COI News Distribution Service on
31 March 2009
All service men
and women in the Armed Forces are to receive a 2.8 per cent pay
rise, Defence Secretary John Hutton announced today.
The MOD has accepted the recommendations of the independent Armed
Forces' Pay Review Body (AFPRB) and will implement them in
full from 1 April 2009.
This is the third consecutive year that the Armed Forces pay rise
has been among the highest in the public sector.
As a result of the increases announced today, a Private soldier
deploying on operations will now receive:
* Basic pay between £16,681 - £25,887;
* A minimum of £1,194 in Longer Separation Allowance over a six
month tour; and
* £2,380 tax-free Operational Allowance over a six month tour.
This brings the minimum pay for a Private soldier deploying on
their first operation up to at least £20,255.
Defence Secretary John Hutton said:
"This pay increase is thoroughly deserved and recognises the
key contribution our Service men and women are making both
overseas and at home. We continue to ask a great deal of our Armed
Forces and they meet those challenges with unwavering courage and
professionalism. It is only right that their service is rewarded."
Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, Chief of Defence Staff, said:
"This pay rise is welcome and appropriate acknowledgement of
the burden our people are carrying on behalf of the nation, and of
their remarkable achievements in the face of great adversity."
The Longer Separation Allowance, paid to personnel operating away
from their home base, will also increase by 2.8 per cent.
The AFPRB - which recommends pay levels for non senior ranks -
has also endorsed new commitment bonus arrangements. From 1 April
2009, all new recruits - and those with less than four years'
service - will move to the new arrangements that reward personnel
with £15,000 upon completion of eight years' Service.
The senior ranks of the Armed Forces (from the Army ranks of
Major General to General and their Navy and RAF equivalents) have
also been awarded a 2.8% pay increase today. This follows an
announcement from the Cabinet Office that they have accepted the
proposals of the Senior Salaries Review Body, which recommends pay
levels for senior public sector workers including military chiefs,
Senior Civil Servants, and Judges.
Notes for Editors:
1. Tables showing Armed Forces pay rates for 2008/09 and 2009/10
can be found below.
2. The AFPRB is an independent group comprising eight members and
the Chairman, Professor David Greenaway. It reports annually on
levels of pay for the Armed Forces - http://www.ome.uk.com. The AFPRB
makes recommendations for Army ranks between Private and Brigadier
and the equivalent Navy and RAF ranks.
3. The AFPRB report can be viewed on the MoD website http://www.mod.uk
4. For more information about the Armed Forces pay rise, please
contact Paul Leat in the MoD Press Office on 020 7218 7931.
EXAMPLES OF PAY RATES - 2008/09 and 2009/10
RANK Pay from 1/4/08 Pay from 1/4/09
Private/Lance Corporal £16,227- £27,599 £16,681 - £28,372
Corporal £25,182 - £31,645 £25,887 - £32,532
Sergeant £28,623 - £35,219 £29,424 - £36,205
Captain £36,160 - 43,002 £37,172 - £44,206
Major £45,549 - 54,550 £46,824 - £56,078
Lieutenant Colonel £63,927 - 74,023 £65,717 - £76,095
Colonel £77,545 - 85,268 £79,716 - £87,655
Brigadier £92,537 - 96,288 £95,128 - £98,984