Armed Forces pay rise: What the 6% increase means for personnel's pay

The Government has announced that the men and women of the Armed Forces will receive a 6% headline pay rise, with the increase to be paid in September and backdated to April 2024.

But what does this mean? 

Well, by accepting the Armed Forces Pay Review Body's recommendation in full, the average salary in the Armed Forces will increase by £2,800.

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The Government said in a statement the award "will help to ensure that we recruit and retain the high calibre of people that we need to keep our country safe. It is an important step in making Britain more secure at home and strong abroad".

The starting rate of pay for Other Ranks after initial training increases from £23,496 to £25,200 from 1 April 2024.  

That's pay grade OR2-1 and covers Able Ratings, Marines, Privates and Air Specialist class 2 personnel.

New recruits are also getting a boost in income.

Until 1 April, they were paid an entry rate of £18,687 for their six months in initial training – this has also increased to £25,200.

These pay rises, Labour argues, ensure "that our most junior sailors, soldiers and aviators continue to receive a living wage and brings the starting salary in our Armed Forces into line with the National Living Wage for the first time, making it more attractive to a wider range of potential recruits to help address recruitment challenges".

Warrant Officers in all three services on pay grade OR9-1 were on £56,383 – that figure now stands at £59,766.

Officers up to two-star rank will also receive the 6% increase.  

Pay grade OF2-1 covers a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, a captain in the Army and a flight lieutenant in the RAF in year one of holding that rank.

This means their salary rises from £47,680 to £50,540.

Further up the pay scale, at OF4-1, a commander in the Royal Navy, a lieutenant colonel in the Army or a wing commander in the RAF see their pay boosted to £88,536 from £83,524.

The Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB) considers the pay for those of two-star rank and above.  

The Government has accepted the 5% increase recommendation.  

The increase means the Chief of the Defence Staff's pay packet will stand at £304,502.