§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated total cost of pay increases for the armed forces in 1988–89.
§ Mr. FreemanThe total cost of pay increases for the armed forces for 1988–89 is £242 million. This figure takes account of the increased deductions made from servicemen's pay in respect of food and accommodation charges as a result of the recommendations made by the AFPRB in its 1988 report.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the average increase in percentage of payments to the armed forces for each year since 1970.
§ Mr. FreemanSince the military salary was introduced in April 1970 average increases in armed forces pay have been:
1020W
RPI since 1970 Pay review year Equivalent percentage increase for full year Year RPI/Increase 1971 1 1970–71 9.5 1972 10 1971–72 6.3 1973 6.5 1972–73 91 1974 13 1973–74 15.2 1975 29.5 1974–75 21.7 1976 29.6 1975–76 18.9 1977 5 1976–77 17.5 1978 13 1977–78 7.9 1979 32.5 1978–79 10.1 1980 16.8 1979–80 21.8 1981 10.3 1980–81 12.0 1982 6.1 1981–82 9.4 1983 7.2 1982–83 4.0 1984 34.9 1983–84 5.2 1985 7.1 1984–85 6.9 1986 45.6 1985–86 3.1 1987 4.9 1986–87 4.2 1988 6.4 1987–88 3.9 1 There was no formal review in 1971 but an interim award of 7 per cent, was made in August 1971.
2 This percentage is derived from a flat rate award of £6 per week to all AFPRB ranks.
3 A staged increase, the full amount awarded was 7–6 per cent.
4 A 7.5 per cent, increase deferred to 1 July 1986.