Armed Forces Pay Review Board 2014

[JTIDS]

Any news on this year pay increase, or is it another 1% after inflation pay cut? Did look on google but couldn't find anything.

[kintyred]

Just get on with your work....and keep paying your taxes. How else are you going to afford to pay the CPI increase on my pension?

[Door Slider]

The 1% pay award was going to be for a 2 year period howver, it was announced around the middle of last year that public sector workers can expect it to be extended for a further year.

I guess we will find out in about 2 weeks.

[racedo]

Inflation plus 5%....................Can't do enough for a Good Government that looks after its people properly.

Anybody know where Embassy of this fictional country is :rolleyes:

[Jumping_Jack]

AFPRB report went to the Minister last week. Anticipate publishing 1st or 2nd week in March. Although you'd think there was enough bad news this week with all the flooding to release it safely! Pay restraint in Public sector is with us until 2016 so don't expect more than 1%. :*

[Willard Whyte]

Could always leave.

I got 3.2% last April, nice after being stuck on 0% for a while whilst on the 'inside'.

My (current) industry also got 3.7% in '12, 5.5% in '11.

With a pension on top... who needs rain to make the grass greener.

[Melchett01]

Pay restraint in Public sector is with us until 2016 so don't expect more than 1%.

Especially after the increase in the X-Factor last year. Then as we pull out of Afghanistan and are no longer on the front line losing people, then much of the argument that has been used to justify Forces' exemptions or special treatment will disappear. I'm not expecting much more than 1% for a long time.

Incidentally, can anybody remember when we got a pay rise that actually outstripped inflation? I think we got 2.8% in 2009, but from what I can remember RPI has been significantly higher than that for large parts of the past decade. And whilst that might seem generous, the period in late 08 - early 09 when the AFPRB would have been gathering data for the 09 report had rates in excess of 4% at times, so hardly a bumper rise.

Maybe if we start to think of it in terms of an annual pay cut rather than pay rise we won't be so disappointed.

[kintyred]

Spot on Melchett,

The country has been living beyond its means for many years and even now the government is borrowing about £25 per week per person to fund its spending. If it's to balance the books it still needs to cut a £100bn a year from its budget...nearly 3 times the entire defence spending. My comment about paying for pensions is not entirely without relevance. Today's pensioners are going to become better off in relation to those in work over the next 5,10...maybe 15 years. All in it together?

[Melchett01]

So the really important question in the midst of the insanity that seems to be infecting various bits of the map, just when will they get round to releasing the AFPRB report this year?

Or are they waiting for some really really bad news to sneak it out under the radar?

I realise it's pretty much a forgone conclusion, but it would still be nice to hear the bad news rather than finding out by accident when the Apr pay statement arrives in May, what with communication being a function of leadership and all that.

[Door Slider]

The report and announcement will be released today.

Standby for 1%. I'm fairly sure that private sector wages will start to have more generous rises from this year but no doubt public sector restraint will remain, probably until the next recession!

[Whenurhappy]

BBC and Torygraph have indicated that public sector pay rises will be announced today and 'expected to be below inflation at 1%, saving the Treasury £12 Billion'. Nice of us - those serving or in the Public Sector - to continue to help bail out the banks, isn't it?

[Biggus]

Whenurhappy,

If you don't like it you don't have to stay, indeed nobody does.


Based on what you have said on other threads you are at least a Wg Cdr, quite possibly even more senior, on a string of overseas (normally embassy related) tours, being extended past 55, possibly well past 55. Since a minimal pay rise isn't exactly a surprise, presumably you took this into account as part of your decision making process when electing to stay? You've still got you house in UK rented out to supplement your income, and your BSA to help pay school fees.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, it is the junior ranks that will suffer the most. How many now are on such low incomes that they qualify for benefits? That is what is disgraceful.

[Hueymeister]

Thanks to the 40% tax level staying put and despite the lower tax rate moving up to 10k I'm still in the region of £400 a year worse off when compared to inflation. Still, gotta feel for the nurses on this one.

[LFFC]

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/armed-forces-pay-review-body-43rd-report-2014


Recommendations•


A one per cent increase in base pay;


• Targeted pay measures:
– A one per cent increase in all levels of Longer Separation Allowance with the addition of two extra levels at the top end of the scale;
– A one per cent increase in all levels of Unpleasant Living Allowance;
– A one per cent increase in Recruitment and Retention Pay (RRP) (unless specified otherwise), compensatory allowances and Reserves’ Bounties;
– RRP (Nursing) to be retained for suitably qualified Specialist Nurses, but changed to Non-Continuous Basis for those at OF4 and above RRP (Nursing) for Registered Nurse (Adult) level 2 be held for 2014 and phased out by 2016;
– RRP (Parachute Jump Instructor) levels and supplement to be maintained and rates held at their 2013-14 levels The basis of payment for those at OF4 and above to be changed to a Non-Continuous Basis;
– RRP rates to be held at their 2013-14 levels for those receiving RRP (Mountain Leader) and RRP (Aeromedical and Escort Duty);
– RRP (Diving) rates be uplifted by one per cent; the Clearance Diver Pay Spine be uplifted by one per cent; and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Supplement for Royal Navy Clearance Divers be increased to align it with RRP (Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operator) and that the increase is also reflected in that element of the Clearance Diver Pay Spine;
– A new Financial Retention Incentive for personnel serving in the Weapon Engineering Submarines Strategic Weapons System (at OR 6-8) and Tactical Weapons System (at OR 6-7) specialities (with effect from 1 October 2013);


• An increase of 2 2 per cent to all grades of Service Family Accommodation rental charges in line with the rental component of RPI;


• Increases of 2 2 per cent to grade 1, 1 5 per cent to grade 2, 0 7 per cent to grade 3 and zero to grade 4 for Single Living Accommodation rental charges;


• A Daily Food Charge of £4.72 (an increase of 29 pence, or 6 5 per cent)

[VinRouge]

... And a flying pay review in 2016. Good or bad? Have to see how the sf and med escort specialist pay reviews go next year...

It's almost as if they want people to leave without their. So called 'gold plated' pension.

Well **** em. I'm still going to get it, my output may have to be adjusted to account for poor renumeration though!

[GW844]

Did you notice that MOD asked for an increase in the PAYD core meal rate because of the fact that unlike the old internal Food Charge system these meals are liable to VAT? At least the Review Body turned that down.

[Canadian WokkaDoctor]

Biggus said: If you don't like it you don't have to stay, indeed nobody does.

That is exactly what I did and you know what - the grass can be greener on the other side!

[Avtur]

That is exactly what I did and you know what - the grass can be greener on the other side!

Once the snow melts! But you are right.

[SteveTonks]

Thanks to the 40% tax level staying put and despite the lower tax rate moving up to 10k I'm still in the region of £400 a year worse off when compared to inflation. Still, gotta feel for the nurses on this one.

Trust you to 'feel' the nurses! Plus you are leaving fella so this will have minimal affect on you anyway...

Have to agree with other posts though, my output will have to be reassess with the recent pay cut...

[Biggus]

I posted this on another thread almost exactly one month ago:



As a very broad generalization:

People who are still "in" exhibit a certain amount of reticence about leaving, a mixture of some remaining loyalty, not wanting to admit defeat, still enjoying some of the job, unsure what they will do when they leave, risk aversion, etc........

People who have already left wonder what all the fuss is about....

[SteveTonks]

I'm still in through sheer curiosity...

On a more serious note I can't PVR as I am still serving a return of service for my last OCU and at the end of that I only have 2 years remaining to my pension point. It hardly seems worth banging out early when I am that close to my lump sum.

Trust me though, all around me the loyalty factor appears to be wearing very thin!

[Canadian WokkaDoctor]

Biggus,

I like that generalization, and that summed me up until I realised that loyalty was a one-way street in the RAF. As soon as I decided that I couldn’t possibly be less happy out of the RAF than I was in it, the fear etc went way for the most part, still - I had a few second thoughts as my last day grew ever closer. Thankfully, I saw it through and retired at my IRP.

[snakepit]

5 years out and never looked back or regretted it once. Why are you still in when it's ok for the AFPRB to recommend 1% rise but 2.2% increase it SLA AND SFA? :ugh:

Kinda lost any credibility that they are independent when the recommendation is exactly what the gov wanted to pay? With no union you will have to vote with your feet. Sadly that will also make the gov happy?!

[Onceapilot]

Does not look good for the future of progression pay or increments in the public sector. After the new pension scheme is announced, you can bet that pay increments will be binned as a "haircut"! :mad: As some others have said, face it folks, the gov is more than happy to ditch you.:ouch: I forsee little change until 2020.:uhoh:

OAP

[Equilibrium]

Having spent 31 years in the light blue I have seen so many changes and to be frank they are not for the better. I accept times are changing and the public purse is empty so the 1% is not a surprise in any shape or form. The Sqn I'm on is working max out and morale is at an all time low with even the young ex-enthusiastic co-pilots talking about licences.
Personally I have just over 5 to go and will see them out (perhaps caught a little in the pension trap) but I am ashamed to say 'I can't wait to leave' because despite what the hierarchy think of us I have had in the majority a fantastic time with some amazing people.
I for 1 wont do less because of the 1% pay rise but for some it will be a bitter pill to swallow, especially those already on the benefit breadline. :mad::mad::mad:

[Bollotom]

Can you gentlemen please hurry along. The MPs will want their 15% but can't have it until they've shafted the rest of us. :cool:

[Charlie Time]

28 years in dark blue and counting the days........just under 3 years to do.

[Whenurhappy]

Whenurhappy,

If you don't like it you don't have to stay, indeed nobody does.


Based on what you have said on other threads you are at least a Wg Cdr, quite possibly even more senior, on a string of overseas (normally embassy related) tours, being extended past 55, possibly well past 55. Since a minimal pay rise isn't exactly a surprise, presumably you took this into account as part of your decision making process when electing to stay? You've still got you house in UK rented out to supplement your income, and your BSA to help pay school fees.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, it is the junior ranks that will suffer the most. How many now are on such low incomes that they qualify for benefits? That is what is disgraceful.

That may be so and my PERSEC perhaps isn't what it should be, but as I said in my post, 'those of us still serving ...' and this includes our junior ranks, who are disproportionatety disadvantaged by this 'pay rise'. From 1 April the allowance package for my fast-approaching last overseas tour is to be halved and it does, at least for me, question why I am bothering to do it, and the impact is much much greater for junior ranks serving in niche appointments abroad as well.

Why do I bother? Perhaps I'm old fashioned, perhaps it's because I like this sort of work and think that it is important - like many of us who are continuing to serve. And, for me, every day is a school day and I will meet fresh experiences on a daily basis. Not many jobs practically available to me could provide this stimulation. Certainly there are few jobs requiring me to catch the 0732 from Surbiton for the next 20 years that could provide the variety and challenges - though, sadly, not the glittering rewards.

I'm doing a job that many officers I have met over the years have stated they would like to do, yet prefer the greasy pole of High Wycombe and 'married patch politics', and don't bother to apply for, on the basis of possible promotion, the preception of career death, spouses' job, kids education (and in one recent case) wouldn't be able to take their elderly arthritic dog!

Oh, and lay off ther personal stuff, eh?

[alfred_the_great]

But if you read the report, there is quite a good refutation of your "junior ranks underpaid" line.

[Jumping_Jack]

After the new pension scheme is announced, you can bet that pay increments will be binned as a "haircut"!

It has already started, the new NEM pay model has removed a number of increments....:hmm:

[Melchett01]

Equilibrium,

I would question your assertion that the public purse is empty and suggest that it has as much if not more to do with political choices in how we spend what money we do have.

I'm away from home at moment so don't have the opportunity to back up my facts, but I'm sure I recently heard that spending during the current bout of austerity has increased. If that is correct, QED.

[kintyred]

Melchett,

Not quite the case althoigh the numbers have been on an upward trend. A better measure is the percentage of GDP. This peaked at 47.7% in 2009/10 and currently is 44%. It is projected to fall to 39.5% in 2017/18. Out of interest the annual bill to service the debt is now over 30bn...about £1000 per tax payer. To put that in perspective, if that were paid out of income tax someone earning £60000 a year would be contributing over £200 a month to that bill. We're in a mess!

[VinRouge]

Plenty of ways to save. How many people have heard 'yeah but it's a different budget' in the past month?

[gr4techie]

Not quite the case althoigh the numbers have been on an upward trend. A better measure is the percentage of GDP. This peaked at 47.7% in 2009/10 and currently is 44%. It is projected to fall to 39.5% in 2017/18. Out of interest the annual bill to service the debt is now over 30bn...about £1000 per tax payer. To put that in perspective, if that were paid out of income tax someone earning £60000 a year would be contributing over £200 a month to that bill. We're in a mess!

Welcome to an economy based on borrowing. And I don't mean the average person on the street borrowing a hundred quid...

Money never existed, central banks just created it and lend it to governments.

The government has borrowed all of our money in existence and has promised to pay it back with interest.

Where does the government get the money from to pay back the current loan AND the interest charged on it?

If you borrow the very first £1 in existence and you promise to pay it back. Plus another £1 of interest. Where do you get the second £1 from?

So what they do is borrow more. Our economy is a ponzi scheme because they can never pay it off.

If they don't keep on creating new money in bigger amounts the whole thing would crash. Because thats where the money comes from to pay off previous loans.

[Willard Whyte]

If you borrow the very first £1 in existence and you promise to pay it back. Plus another £1 of interest. Where do you get the second £1 from?

You make something with the first £ that's worth £2. Problem is we don't make anything worth £2, so we get our money by advising two people, one of whom lends the other a £ so something can be made worth £2.

I think that's how the world economy works anyway.

Where the first pound comes from is anyone's guess. We probably got ours by winning the game of 'musical (army and navy) chairs' in the second half of the last millennium and nicking all the gold that the Spanish nicked of the Incas. Then gormless broon sold all the gold for a tin of magic beans, the Chinese giant smelled the blood of an Englishman and came down the beanstalk, nicked everbody's gold and forced us to make a load of cheap sh*tty plastic stuff that we then buy with money they lend us.

That may have been some weird dream I had, but then life is but a dream.