Personnel are looking forward to more cash in their pockets next month following the announcement that armed forces salaries would increase by 4.5 per cent.
The uplift, which will be paid at the end of July and backdated to April, will see starting wages for soldiers rise to around £26,330 and £34,670 for junior officers.
Compensatory allowances such as those paid during service away from home are also rising by the same amount.
Meanwhile, accommodation rates are increasing by up to 7.6 per cent, depending on grade, but will not be backdated, and daily food charges remain unchanged. As an example, this would leave a private soldier living in the block with a net monthly gain of £87.
Speaking on his Savvy Squaddie financial education channel, Sgt Cam Eden (RLC), pointed out that the award was higher than most people had anticipated and compared favourably to other public sector pay hikes, as well as civvy employers.
“I’m pleasantly surprised – I was expecting below two per cent,” he said. “Overall, we did well in comparison to other government departments. It’s above inflation, giving us a bit more spending power, though after a decade of lagging behind inflation, we are still playing catch up.”
The award forms part of the government’s efforts to fix recruitment and retention. LCpl Darriel Browne (RE), who is married and living in service family accommodation, said he had calculated that he would be around £1,500 better off per year.
“That is enough to cover a bill or at least go towards groceries each month – I’m quite happy about it,” he added.
“I believe that the army is an easy pay check for what we actually do on a daily basis, but the flip side is the risks we face on deployments. Those are the times when I feel underpaid.”
As a junior officer, 2Lt Abbey Goodchild (RE), said her salary generally measured up well to those of her civilian friends. She explained: “The jobs market now seems pretty much impossible to get a foothold in as a graduate, so having the security of the army definitely helps, especially when you consider the wage progression as you move through the ranks.”
But Spr Tom Eden (RE) thought the pay rise would not fully offset the higher cost of living, transport and mortgages. “It’s not a good basis for long-term goals such as home ownership or starting a family,” he said.
