Who decides if military personnel get a pay rise?

Everyone wants more money and serving military personnel are no different.

But who decides if they get one or not and how does the Government decide what pay rise to give to servicemen and servicewomen?

Well, the Armed Forces Pay Review Body is one of a number of pay review bodies in the UK.

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Since 1971, its role has been to make sure military personnel are fairly compensated for their service and wages and allowances are in line with similar private sector jobs.

The pay review bodies are supposed to be independent and not influenced by politics, but there is some debate about this as they are appointed by ministers.

Who makes up the Armed Forces Pay Review Body? 

Independent industry experts make up the body and are tasked with thoroughly assessing the circumstances and challenges faced by personnel.

They must then put forward recommendations, taking into account affordability, to the Defence Secretary and the Prime Minister.

Does the Government have to follow the recommendations of the body?

In short, no, it doesn't have to.

Looking at the Armed Forces Pay Review Body recommendations over the past decade, it was just 1% from 2013-2017 because public sector pay awards were capped at that figure.

In 2018, that cap was lifted and the Armed Forces Pay Review Body recommended a 2.9% pay increase.

But the Government went with 2% and a 0.9% temporary payment.

In 2019, personnel got 2.9%, 2% in 2020 before a public sector pay pause in 2021.

However, in 2022 the Government accepted the 3.75% recommendation.

Typically, pay awards are meant to be announced at the start of the financial year, but the Armed Forces Pay Review Body has repeatedly criticised the Ministry of Defence for failing to make the April deadline.