As topgas pointed out:
"The pay allowances and pensions of the Armed Forces are reviewed regularly.
Pay
Rates of salary are reviewed annually by the independent Armed Forces Pay Review Body and are generally related to the wages paid in civilian life, with an addition known as the 'X' Factor to compensate for the special circumstances found in the Services. With effect from 1st April 2001Pay for airmen was reviewed and a new pay structure "Pay 2000" was introduced. Pay 2000 depends on the airman's, trade, rank, time in rank (if promoted after 1 April 2001) and commitment - the period of engagement. For officers, pay is based on their branch and length of service in their rank."
The X factor is not just for deploying to nasty places, we received it well before life in the sandpit came along!
What hacks me off is the females who get cushy postings to the sim/ops because they have 'sprogs' and therefore 'can't' deploy because of childcare issues, etc. Or the guys who always seem to have 'domestic' problems which mean they can't deploy either (or are recalled whilst away requiring someone to replace them at short notice). I would have thought the divorce rates show that most of us who do go away regualrly have domestic problems of our own!