§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on ensuring competitive conditions and rates of pay for service pilots in relation to civil aviation pilots. [140128]
§ Mr. SpellarLevels of Service pay are based on the recommendations of the independent Armed Forces' Pay Review Body who work on the principle of broad comparability with the pay of civilians in jobs of similar weight and responsibility (derived by job evaluation) against a number of factors. An additional element called the "X-factor" (currently 13 per cent. of basic pay) is then added to basic pay in order to reflect the difference between conditions of service experienced by members of the armed forces and conditions in civilian life which cannot be taken into account when assessing pay comparability. X-factor is paid in full to all ranks up to the mid-point on the Lieutenant Colonel scale. In addition 423W to basic pay, certain groups are paid additional pay, as a supplement to basic pay, as a supplement to basic pay, to counter market forces' pressures. Pilots receive such payments, in the form of flying pay, at levels geared to support retention.
The pay package for pilots, as with all groups where market forces have an impact, is kept under review.