The government has confirmed that this year’s armed forces pay award has not yet been announced but will be backdated to 1 April 2026 when it is finalised, the UK Defence Journal understands.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Defence Louise Sandher-Jones provided the confirmation in response to two written questions from Cameron Thomas, the Liberal Democrat MP for Tewkesbury, tabled on 28 May. Thomas asked both when the 2026/27 pay figures would be announced and what steps were being taken to mitigate the impact of any delay on service personnel.
Sandher-Jones confirmed that the Armed Forces Pay Review Body has submitted its report and recommendations, saying the details of this year’s award “will be confirmed as soon as possible.” She added that “any pay award will be backdated to the start of the Armed Forces pay year on 1 April 2026.”
The minister did not provide a specific timeline for the announcement. In response to the question on mitigating the impact of any delay, Sandher-Jones pointed to broader government measures on service life rather than specific steps relating to the pay delay, citing the appointment of the first independent Armed Forces Commissioner, a new Defence Housing Strategy and a childcare scheme she said would save eligible forces families in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland up to £6,000 per year per child.
Armed forces pay is set annually through the Pay Review Body process, with independent bodies considering a range of evidence before submitting recommendations to government, which then confirms final settlements.
FFS just bloody pay them🤬
How much? It’s not paying them that is the problem it is the Government rubber stamping the recommendation.
To be fair I don’t even think they are trying to save money the current Government just can’t get things done.
Pay them their dues on time would be a start! The review body have given the recommendations are they going to pay less than that?
Funny how MPs salary increases are not delayed isn’t it?
I think MPs salary should be set by an independent body, not by themselves!
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And when it is finally paid, will the government pay “Interest” on the back pay.
Yet another cluster and kick in the teeth for those who serve in the military.
Nope but you can be assured the tax will be deducted!
It just shows the utter contempt the government have for their Armed Forces – no matter the award its the taxman who profits.
It just shows the utter contempt the government have for their Armed Forces – no matter the award its the taxman who profits.
It’s the same with my pension. I’ve got a raise and it will be backdated so it’ll be a nice lump when it comes. The taxman can have his cut, he pays the NHS, the Fire, Ambulance, Police and oh, yes, the Military, and not forgetting Schools. Tax away. And just don’t believe “the private sector does it better” nonsense. It doesn’t. I’d rather the taxman had it than individuals. At least we’ll all see the benefit, not just the few!
This year the income tax take has been swallowed by the welfare budget,how can that be sustainable?
I spend 26 years in the NHS having to wait on average about 4 months for my pay rise each and every year… that’s about 6.5 years in total waiting for pay rises.. did they ever give me interest…did they hell. At one point it turned out they even just forgot to pay me for 6.5 hours a week for almost a year.
Working for the police was exactly the same.
An interest free loan from the employee.
Maybe the government should “DIP” into the £125 billion being spent on benefits.
They always do this to claw a wedge of it back via tax etc.
While they are it, they can make LSA tax free, that would be a great start to improve morale