The Armed Forces Pay Review Body 2025 report has recommended a 4.5 per cent base pay increase for Service personnel and 3.75 per cent for senior military officers.
SFA accommodation charges will also increase by 7.6 per cent in the higher CAAS bands A-F, and on a sliding scale for SLA, from 7.6 per cent for the highest band down to 0 per cent for the lowest. Some allowances like Longer Separation Allowance and Northern Ireland Residents’ Supplement will rise by 4.5 per cent.
The Review Body said: “We consider it imperative that our main pay recommendation addresses the continuing workforce crisis. Pay must be attractive enough both to recruit and retain the calibre of personnel needed to maintain the nation’s Armed Forces. We judge that our recommendations strike the right balance, considering the gravity of the international scene, economic circumstances, the fiscal situation and wider pay settlements.”
The pay recommendation follows a 6 per cent increase last year.
Federations’ input
AFF and the other Families Federations met the panel to provide valuable feedback from personnel and families on issues like the pressing need for spouses and partners to be able provide a second income, the challenge of maintaining that income when overseas and difficulties accessing affordable childcare.
We highlighted cases of poor – and in some instances insensitive – communication from the MOD on policy changes that had a direct impact on families, and voiced our continued concerns about standards and service for SFA and SLA users.
Our team is working through the full detail of the report and what it will mean for you. Let us know your thoughts – moneysupport@aff.org.uk
Key points
Pay
- Service personnel will receive a 4.5 per cent increase on base pay.
- Senior military officers will receive a 3.75 per cent increase on base pay.
SFA/SLA charges
- Service Families Accommodation charge for CAAS Bands A-F should increase by 7.6 per cent – no backdating for these charges.
- No increase in the current rates of charges for CAAS Bands G and below.
- No increase in furniture charges.
- Garages and carports should increase by 7.6 per cent – not backdated.
- SLA rental charges: Grade 1 increase by 7.6 per cent, Grade 2 by 5.1 per cent, Grade 3 by 2.5 per cent and no increase to Grade 4 accommodation – not to be subject to any backdating.
Allowances
Other Recruitment and Retention Payments (RRP) like Para Pay, London RRP increase by 4.5 per cent.
Compensatory allowances, such as Longer Separation Allowance and Northern Ireland Residents’ Supplement increase by 4.5 per cent.
POSTED ON 29 MAY 2025
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