Reservists (Hansard, 6 March 2003)

§ Mr. Frank Field
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many inquiries from(a) reservists and (b) the families of reservists he has received concerning miscalculation of their enhanced pay since being called up. [101231]

§ Dr. Moonie
None.

§ Mr. Frank Field
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the(a) allowances and (b) enhanced pay paid to reservists were last increased. [101232]

§ Dr. Moonie
Pay levels for members of the armed forces (including the reserve forces) are set by the Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB), whose annual report was published on 7 February 2003. A copy is available in the Library of the House. Its recommendations have been accepted in full, and will come into force on 1 April with the exception of the changes to Longer Separated Service Allowance (LSSA) and Longer Service at Sea Bonus (LSSB), which were implemented on I March.
Those allowances not set by the AFPRB are reviewed biannually by the Ministry of Defence, with changes usually coming into effect in August.
When called out into permanent service, reservists receive the same basic pay and allowances as their regular counterparts. In addition, members of the reserve forces whose civilian earnings are greater than their military pay may claim financial assistance under regulations set out in the Reserve Forces (Call-Out and Recall) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 1997 (Statutory Instrument 1997/309).

§ Mr. Frank Field
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to lay orders before the House increasing the allowances and enhanced pay to reservists. [101233]

§ Dr. Moonie
Directed letters setting out the new pay rates for reservists, as well as the levels of training bounty, were dispatched on 24 February. These reflect1164W the recommendations of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body's report of 7 February, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.
The regulations governing financial assistance for reservists ("The Reserve Forces (Call-Out and Recall) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 1997"—SI 1997/ 309) are currently under review.