Originally Posted by
Top Right
Does anyone know where the policy resides for our continuing rent increases? Or is it held secretly by Civil Servants? We keep being told that our rent should be comparable with civilian comparators, but with which civilians are we being compared?
It's all decided by the Armed Forces Pay Review Body. Here's the full quote from their last report, which can be found on the
MOD website:
Accommodation
5.2 In line with our remit on maintaining broad comparability, we consider Service accommodation rental charges in relation to the accommodation costs of civilian comparators. The Service accommodation rental charges, however, are intentionally set below market rates for comparable civilian accommodation to reflect the inherent disadvantages associated with living in Service accommodation. These disadvantages include the lack of choice, lack of security of tenure on postings or on leaving the Armed Forces, lack of an option to buy and restrictions on decorating or making other changes. We are also mindful of the fact that there are considerable advantages to the Services of having personnel located close to, or on, bases.
Incidentally, I see that the worst quality families' accommodation for the most junior soldiers/airmen increased in price by 4.7% last year! Their best quality quarters increased by 9.3%!