Members of the Armed Forces will get the highest pay rise in public sector, the government has announced.
Defence secretary Des Browne said the government had accepted in full the recommendations of the independent Armed Forces Pay Review Body, and will implement them without delay.
The 13,000 lowest paid servicemen and women will see their pay go up by 9.2% – more than £100 per month – the biggest pay rise for four years.
All other ranks and officers, regulars and reserves, who will receive a minimum 3.3% increase. These increases will take effect from 1 April 2007.
Browne said: “I am delighted to be able to announce this significant pay rise for our Armed Forces, which is thoroughly deserved after what has been a challenging year.”
Senior officers will receive a 2% increase, as recommended by the independent review body, which is in line with overall increases in public sector pay.
The decision comes on top of the new tax-free operational bonus introduced in October – which gave special recognition to those serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans.
