The Secretary of State for Defence (The Rt Hon Philip Hammond): The 2012 report of the Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body (AFPRB) has now been published. I wish to express my thanks to the Chairman and members of the Review Body for their report. I am pleased to confirm that the AFPRB’s recommendations are to be accepted in full. 

In line with the government’s 2010 Emergency Budget, which announced a 2-year pay freeze for all public sector employees, the AFPRB basic military salary recommendations are only for those personnel earning £21,000 or less where the recommendation is for an increase of £250. The AFPRB also recommended a reduction in the qualifying interval between levels of Longer Separation Allowance. There is also an increase to food and accommodation charges. These recommendations will be effective from 1 April 2012. The government has also accepted the AFPRB recommendation to harmonise the pay for graduate and non-graduate officers and this will be effective from 1 April 2013.

Copies of the AFPRB report are available in the Vote Office and the Library of the House.