§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have been made since February 1997 to the armed forces allowances and charges package which346W indicate progress towards greater equity of treatment between married and single personnel; and if he will make a statement. [25759]
§ Dr. ReidThe previous Government published on 20 February 1997,Official Report, column 721, an information document "The Armed Forces of the Future—a Personnel Strategy", which included outline details of changes to the allowances and charges package for personnel in the armed forces. These changes were implemented on 1 December 1997.
The rationale underpinning the changes was, and continues to be, predicated on targeting these allowances where they are most needed to assist with recruitment and retention, and to compensate for the extra costs and disadvantages of Service life.
We have no plans at present to make further changes, although the situation is, of course, kept under review.