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1196622
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2020-05-18more like thismore than 2020-05-18
star this property answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
star this property answering dept id 11 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Defence more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Defence more like this
star this property hansard heading Armed Forces: Pay remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date the Government plans to issue the armed forces pay award. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Portsmouth South more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Mr Stephen Morgan more like this
star this property uin 48586 more like this
unstar this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
unstar this property date of answer less than 2020-06-02more like thismore than 2020-06-02
star this property answer text <p>The Government is currently considering the Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body’s (AFPRB) recommendations, taking into account the need to recruit, retain, and motivate personnel, as well as the long-term affordability of the Armed Forces. Once a decision has been reached, any pay rises will be backdated to 1 April 2020.</p><p> </p><p>The maintenance of morale in the Armed Forces is a high priority and is measured in a robust, consistent and scientific manner, through mechanisms such as the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS). We have been unable to attribute fluctuations in morale to specific factors such as pay, and more specifically, to delay of the pay award. Neither do we anticipate that this would have a detrimental impact on recruitment or retention.</p><p> </p><p>There are a range of measures underway in the fields of recruitment and retention; these are kept under constant review. Last year we secured an across the board pay rise of 2.9% for all personnel up to 1-star rank and introduced other financial initiatives in certain priority areas. The Future Accommodation Model (FAM) is now being trialled at scale and will give our personnel greater choice of housing options to better suit their lifestyles. The introduction of Flexible Service has enabled our personnel to alter their career commitment for set periods of time so that may remain in the Armed Forces while balancing the demands of other domestic responsibilities. Lastly, we have also collaborated with industry to provide new opportunities for those with critical skills in order to improve retention within the wider Defence community.</p><p><strong><br> </strong></p><p> </p>
star this property answering member constituency Plymouth, Moor View more like this
star this property answering member printed Johnny Mercer more like this
star this property grouped question UIN
48587 more like this
48588 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2020-06-02T10:45:52.317Zmore like thismore than 2020-06-02T10:45:52.317Z
star this property answering member
4485
star this property label Biography information for Johnny Mercer more like this
star this property tabling member
4653
unstar this property label Biography information for Stephen Morgan more like this
1196623
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2020-05-18more like thismore than 2020-05-18
star this property answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
star this property answering dept id 11 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Defence more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Defence more like this
star this property hansard heading Armed Forces: Pay remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effect of the delay of the armed forces pay award on morale in the armed forces. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Portsmouth South more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Mr Stephen Morgan more like this
star this property uin 48587 more like this
unstar this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
unstar this property date of answer less than 2020-06-02more like thismore than 2020-06-02
star this property answer text <p>The Government is currently considering the Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body’s (AFPRB) recommendations, taking into account the need to recruit, retain, and motivate personnel, as well as the long-term affordability of the Armed Forces. Once a decision has been reached, any pay rises will be backdated to 1 April 2020.</p><p> </p><p>The maintenance of morale in the Armed Forces is a high priority and is measured in a robust, consistent and scientific manner, through mechanisms such as the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS). We have been unable to attribute fluctuations in morale to specific factors such as pay, and more specifically, to delay of the pay award. Neither do we anticipate that this would have a detrimental impact on recruitment or retention.</p><p> </p><p>There are a range of measures underway in the fields of recruitment and retention; these are kept under constant review. Last year we secured an across the board pay rise of 2.9% for all personnel up to 1-star rank and introduced other financial initiatives in certain priority areas. The Future Accommodation Model (FAM) is now being trialled at scale and will give our personnel greater choice of housing options to better suit their lifestyles. The introduction of Flexible Service has enabled our personnel to alter their career commitment for set periods of time so that may remain in the Armed Forces while balancing the demands of other domestic responsibilities. Lastly, we have also collaborated with industry to provide new opportunities for those with critical skills in order to improve retention within the wider Defence community.</p><p><strong><br> </strong></p><p> </p>
star this property answering member constituency Plymouth, Moor View more like this
star this property answering member printed Johnny Mercer more like this
star this property grouped question UIN
48586 more like this
48588 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2020-06-02T10:45:52.393Zmore like thismore than 2020-06-02T10:45:52.393Z
star this property answering member
4485
star this property label Biography information for Johnny Mercer more like this
star this property tabling member
4653
unstar this property label Biography information for Stephen Morgan more like this
1196624
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2020-05-18more like thismore than 2020-05-18
star this property answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
star this property answering dept id 11 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Defence more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Defence more like this
star this property hansard heading Armed Forces: Pay remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effect of the armed forces pay award delay on (a) recruitment and (b) retention in the armed forces. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Portsmouth South more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Mr Stephen Morgan more like this
star this property uin 48588 more like this
unstar this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
unstar this property date of answer less than 2020-06-02more like thismore than 2020-06-02
star this property answer text <p>The Government is currently considering the Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body’s (AFPRB) recommendations, taking into account the need to recruit, retain, and motivate personnel, as well as the long-term affordability of the Armed Forces. Once a decision has been reached, any pay rises will be backdated to 1 April 2020.</p><p> </p><p>The maintenance of morale in the Armed Forces is a high priority and is measured in a robust, consistent and scientific manner, through mechanisms such as the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS). We have been unable to attribute fluctuations in morale to specific factors such as pay, and more specifically, to delay of the pay award. Neither do we anticipate that this would have a detrimental impact on recruitment or retention.</p><p> </p><p>There are a range of measures underway in the fields of recruitment and retention; these are kept under constant review. Last year we secured an across the board pay rise of 2.9% for all personnel up to 1-star rank and introduced other financial initiatives in certain priority areas. The Future Accommodation Model (FAM) is now being trialled at scale and will give our personnel greater choice of housing options to better suit their lifestyles. The introduction of Flexible Service has enabled our personnel to alter their career commitment for set periods of time so that may remain in the Armed Forces while balancing the demands of other domestic responsibilities. Lastly, we have also collaborated with industry to provide new opportunities for those with critical skills in order to improve retention within the wider Defence community.</p><p><strong><br> </strong></p><p> </p>
star this property answering member constituency Plymouth, Moor View more like this
star this property answering member printed Johnny Mercer more like this
star this property grouped question UIN
48586 more like this
48587 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2020-06-02T10:45:52.44Zmore like thismore than 2020-06-02T10:45:52.44Z
star this property answering member
4485
star this property label Biography information for Johnny Mercer more like this
star this property tabling member
4653
unstar this property label Biography information for Stephen Morgan more like this
573618
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2016-09-02more like thismore than 2016-09-02
star this property answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
star this property answering dept id 11 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Defence more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Defence more like this
star this property hansard heading Armed Forces: Pay remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has to review the eligibility for the operational allowance for service personnel. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Argyll and Bute more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Brendan O'Hara more like this
star this property uin 44267 more like this
unstar this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
unstar this property date of answer less than 2016-09-08more like thismore than 2016-09-08
star this property answer text <p>We review eligible locations every six months as standard but Ministers have no plans to change the qualifying criteria.</p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Milton Keynes North more like this
star this property answering member printed Mark Lancaster more like this
star this property grouped question UIN 45090 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2016-09-08T13:57:40.99Zmore like thismore than 2016-09-08T13:57:40.99Z
star this property answering member
1544
star this property label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton more like this
star this property tabling member
4371
unstar this property label Biography information for Brendan O'Hara more like this
523915
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2016-06-08more like thismore than 2016-06-08
star this property answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
star this property answering dept id 11 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Defence more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Defence more like this
star this property hansard heading Armed Forces: Pay remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on morale among members of the armed forces of the transition from Pay 2000 to the new Pay 16 pay structure. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency East Renfrewshire more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Kirsten Oswald more like this
star this property uin 39957 more like this
unstar this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
unstar this property date of answer less than 2016-06-15more like thismore than 2016-06-15
star this property answer text <p>The new Pay 16 structure was specifically established in response to Service personnel criticisms of the old pay model. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has developed the new pay model as a simpler, more transparent system which provides Service personnel with greater pay predictability. It addresses some of the concerns about the previous pay model reported by personnel through both the Service Complaints system and the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) and in feedback from the Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB). I fully expect these changes to be positive for morale overall.</p><p>Many personnel will experience an increase in pay as a result of the new pay model, and no one will take a cut in core pay on implementation. We have taken steps to ensure that personnel are aware of the range and nature of the pay reforms that began on 1 April 2016 and comprehensive internal communications activity has been undertaken to explain the changes. This included Departmental guidance to help personnel understand their new pay statement and any changes. Personnel, including those under pay protection, continue to remain eligible for any Government-approved pay award. Pay protection has been put in place to ensure that no one will take a pay cut on implementation of Pay 16 and this arrangement will exist for at least the first three years to ensure that no one is disadvantaged.</p><p>The new pay model is not designed as a cost saving exercise, but is a rebalancing of pay to make more efficient and effective use of the Armed Forces pay bill; the AFPRB will continue to recommend pay rates for all personnel. As we go forward the Service Complaints Process and AFCAS will be primary sources which inform our assessment of the benefits realised through the pay reforms. <strong><br></strong></p>
star this property answering member constituency Milton Keynes North more like this
star this property answering member printed Mark Lancaster more like this
star this property grouped question UIN
40216 more like this
40217 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2016-06-15T14:10:41.043Zmore like thismore than 2016-06-15T14:10:41.043Z
star this property answering member
1544
star this property label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton more like this
star this property tabling member
4413
unstar this property label Biography information for Kirsten Oswald more like this
524426
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2016-06-10more like thismore than 2016-06-10
star this property answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
star this property answering dept id 11 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Defence more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Defence more like this
star this property hansard heading Armed Forces: Pay remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what account he took of the pattern of complaints relating to terms and conditions made through the service complaints procedures in reforming the pay structure for the armed forces. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency East Renfrewshire more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Kirsten Oswald more like this
star this property uin 40216 more like this
unstar this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
unstar this property date of answer less than 2016-06-15more like thismore than 2016-06-15
star this property answer text <p>The new Pay 16 structure was specifically established in response to Service personnel criticisms of the old pay model. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has developed the new pay model as a simpler, more transparent system which provides Service personnel with greater pay predictability. It addresses some of the concerns about the previous pay model reported by personnel through both the Service Complaints system and the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) and in feedback from the Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB). I fully expect these changes to be positive for morale overall.</p><p>Many personnel will experience an increase in pay as a result of the new pay model, and no one will take a cut in core pay on implementation. We have taken steps to ensure that personnel are aware of the range and nature of the pay reforms that began on 1 April 2016 and comprehensive internal communications activity has been undertaken to explain the changes. This included Departmental guidance to help personnel understand their new pay statement and any changes. Personnel, including those under pay protection, continue to remain eligible for any Government-approved pay award. Pay protection has been put in place to ensure that no one will take a pay cut on implementation of Pay 16 and this arrangement will exist for at least the first three years to ensure that no one is disadvantaged.</p><p>The new pay model is not designed as a cost saving exercise, but is a rebalancing of pay to make more efficient and effective use of the Armed Forces pay bill; the AFPRB will continue to recommend pay rates for all personnel. As we go forward the Service Complaints Process and AFCAS will be primary sources which inform our assessment of the benefits realised through the pay reforms. <strong><br></strong></p>
star this property answering member constituency Milton Keynes North more like this
star this property answering member printed Mark Lancaster more like this
star this property grouped question UIN
39957 more like this
40217 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2016-06-15T14:10:41.107Zmore like thismore than 2016-06-15T14:10:41.107Z
star this property answering member
1544
star this property label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton more like this
star this property tabling member
4413
unstar this property label Biography information for Kirsten Oswald more like this
524427
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2016-06-10more like thismore than 2016-06-10
star this property answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
star this property answering dept id 11 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Defence more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Defence more like this
star this property hansard heading Armed Forces: Pay remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to take account of the levels of satisfaction with pay reported in the Regular Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey in his setting of pay policy for the armed forces. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency East Renfrewshire more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Kirsten Oswald more like this
star this property uin 40217 more like this
unstar this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
unstar this property date of answer less than 2016-06-15more like thismore than 2016-06-15
star this property answer text <p>The new Pay 16 structure was specifically established in response to Service personnel criticisms of the old pay model. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has developed the new pay model as a simpler, more transparent system which provides Service personnel with greater pay predictability. It addresses some of the concerns about the previous pay model reported by personnel through both the Service Complaints system and the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) and in feedback from the Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB). I fully expect these changes to be positive for morale overall.</p><p>Many personnel will experience an increase in pay as a result of the new pay model, and no one will take a cut in core pay on implementation. We have taken steps to ensure that personnel are aware of the range and nature of the pay reforms that began on 1 April 2016 and comprehensive internal communications activity has been undertaken to explain the changes. This included Departmental guidance to help personnel understand their new pay statement and any changes. Personnel, including those under pay protection, continue to remain eligible for any Government-approved pay award. Pay protection has been put in place to ensure that no one will take a pay cut on implementation of Pay 16 and this arrangement will exist for at least the first three years to ensure that no one is disadvantaged.</p><p>The new pay model is not designed as a cost saving exercise, but is a rebalancing of pay to make more efficient and effective use of the Armed Forces pay bill; the AFPRB will continue to recommend pay rates for all personnel. As we go forward the Service Complaints Process and AFCAS will be primary sources which inform our assessment of the benefits realised through the pay reforms. <strong><br></strong></p>
star this property answering member constituency Milton Keynes North more like this
star this property answering member printed Mark Lancaster more like this
star this property grouped question UIN
39957 more like this
40216 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2016-06-15T14:10:41.183Zmore like thismore than 2016-06-15T14:10:41.183Z
star this property answering member
1544
star this property label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton more like this
star this property tabling member
4413
unstar this property label Biography information for Kirsten Oswald more like this
223579
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2015-02-25more like thismore than 2015-02-25
star this property answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
star this property answering dept id 11 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Defence more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Defence more like this
star this property hansard heading Armed Forces: Pay remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, at what rate Accelerated Incremental Progression payments have been made in each year since 2010. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency North Durham more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Mr Kevan Jones more like this
star this property uin 225421 more like this
unstar this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
unstar this property date of answer less than 2015-03-04more like thismore than 2015-03-04
star this property answer text <p>Accelerated Incremental Progression (AIP) allows a Service person an immediate progression in their pay level as a result of a work-related course or a qualification. Each individual can qualify and claim for two AIPs during their career, at a point of their choosing.</p><p> </p><p>Our Service personnel do a difficult job and it is important they receive accurate pay for the hard work they do. While the majority of awards are made correctly, misinterpretation of the published qualifying criteria for AIP has resulted in some individuals receiving an incorrect award. Unfortunately, payment errors occur occasionally. We obviously regret such occurrences. It is right that we correct identified errors and ask for repayment of monies wrongly received. Allowing individuals to keep money that they are not entitled to would be unfair to both taxpayers and other Service personnel who did not receive this payment. It would also be inconsistent with HM Treasury instructions on the management of public money.</p><p> </p><p>If an individual overpayment to a Service person is equal to or less than four days’ gross pay then the full sum is recovered, without notification, from the next monthly salary payment. For overpayments greater than four days’ gross pay, a notification is made on the next available monthly payslip that a debt has been incurred. Recovery action is then scheduled after two subsequent pay periods, and any overpayments recovered are made at no more than four days’ gross pay per month.</p><p> </p><p>Service personnel who wish to challenge the reason for any recovery of an overpayment may submit a case through their Chain of Command to Defence Business Services. In addition, processes are in place for Service personnel: to agree to pay back any overpayment over a shorter period; to make a formal objection against recovery on hardship or other grounds and; to argue that the debt be written off or repaid over a longer period. All recoveries are postponed while casework or objections are being considered.</p><p> </p><p>Errors in the payment of AIP are dealt with in the same way as any other payment error - the account is corrected and any overpayment recovered. The calculation of money owed is simply the difference between what has been paid and what should have been paid had the error not occurred. AIP does not occur at a particular rate or have a defined cash value.</p><p> </p><p>Courses and qualifications which are eligible for AIP payments are listed in Joint Service Publication (JSP) 754 (Tri-Service Regulations for Pay and Charges), which is updated biannually as required to meet Service manning requirements. The single Services are responsible for decisions on which courses or qualifications should qualify for AIP payments. It is not possible to quantify the number of people who may have erroneously applied for AIP payments on the basis of the criteria relevant to any particular edition of this JSP. Overpayments can occur for a number of reasons which do not necessarily arise from changes to eligibility criteria set out in JSP 754, although erroneous claims for courses which are no longer eligible can be a factor.</p><p> </p><p>Information about the number of Service personnel who have repaid money as a result of AIP payment errors since 2010 could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, our records indicate that 488 Army personnel who received erroneous AIP payments have repaid or are making repayments and 423 Royal Navy personnel who received an overpayment through the misapplication of Qualification Points have repaid or are making repayments. Additionally, approximately 1,500 Royal Air Force (RAF) personnel have been identified as having received erroneous AIP payments, which are required to be repaid; this represents 15% of all RAF AIP payments made.</p><p> </p><p>The total that has been overpaid and which is being paid back is in the region of £3.1 million. Each Service person or ex-Service person is required to repay the amount owed. As described above, each case may be subject to challenges and objections. The average amount to be repaid per person is in the region of £1,285 and the date by which payment must be paid varies according to the specific circumstances of each case.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Broxtowe more like this
star this property answering member printed Anna Soubry more like this
star this property grouped question UIN
225422 more like this
225423 more like this
225424 more like this
225641 more like this
225642 more like this
225643 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2015-03-04T17:39:08.75Zmore like thismore than 2015-03-04T17:39:08.75Z
star this property answering member
3938
star this property label Biography information for Anna Soubry more like this
star this property tabling member
1438
unstar this property label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones more like this
223582
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2015-02-25more like thismore than 2015-02-25
star this property answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
star this property answering dept id 11 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Defence more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Defence more like this
star this property hansard heading Armed Forces: Pay remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of the armed forces have had to repay money as a result of errors in Accelerated Incremental Progression payments in each year since 2010. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency North Durham more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Mr Kevan Jones more like this
star this property uin 225424 more like this
unstar this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
unstar this property date of answer less than 2015-03-04more like thismore than 2015-03-04
star this property answer text <p>Accelerated Incremental Progression (AIP) allows a Service person an immediate progression in their pay level as a result of a work-related course or a qualification. Each individual can qualify and claim for two AIPs during their career, at a point of their choosing.</p><p> </p><p>Our Service personnel do a difficult job and it is important they receive accurate pay for the hard work they do. While the majority of awards are made correctly, misinterpretation of the published qualifying criteria for AIP has resulted in some individuals receiving an incorrect award. Unfortunately, payment errors occur occasionally. We obviously regret such occurrences. It is right that we correct identified errors and ask for repayment of monies wrongly received. Allowing individuals to keep money that they are not entitled to would be unfair to both taxpayers and other Service personnel who did not receive this payment. It would also be inconsistent with HM Treasury instructions on the management of public money.</p><p> </p><p>If an individual overpayment to a Service person is equal to or less than four days’ gross pay then the full sum is recovered, without notification, from the next monthly salary payment. For overpayments greater than four days’ gross pay, a notification is made on the next available monthly payslip that a debt has been incurred. Recovery action is then scheduled after two subsequent pay periods, and any overpayments recovered are made at no more than four days’ gross pay per month.</p><p> </p><p>Service personnel who wish to challenge the reason for any recovery of an overpayment may submit a case through their Chain of Command to Defence Business Services. In addition, processes are in place for Service personnel: to agree to pay back any overpayment over a shorter period; to make a formal objection against recovery on hardship or other grounds and; to argue that the debt be written off or repaid over a longer period. All recoveries are postponed while casework or objections are being considered.</p><p> </p><p>Errors in the payment of AIP are dealt with in the same way as any other payment error - the account is corrected and any overpayment recovered. The calculation of money owed is simply the difference between what has been paid and what should have been paid had the error not occurred. AIP does not occur at a particular rate or have a defined cash value.</p><p> </p><p>Courses and qualifications which are eligible for AIP payments are listed in Joint Service Publication (JSP) 754 (Tri-Service Regulations for Pay and Charges), which is updated biannually as required to meet Service manning requirements. The single Services are responsible for decisions on which courses or qualifications should qualify for AIP payments. It is not possible to quantify the number of people who may have erroneously applied for AIP payments on the basis of the criteria relevant to any particular edition of this JSP. Overpayments can occur for a number of reasons which do not necessarily arise from changes to eligibility criteria set out in JSP 754, although erroneous claims for courses which are no longer eligible can be a factor.</p><p> </p><p>Information about the number of Service personnel who have repaid money as a result of AIP payment errors since 2010 could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, our records indicate that 488 Army personnel who received erroneous AIP payments have repaid or are making repayments and 423 Royal Navy personnel who received an overpayment through the misapplication of Qualification Points have repaid or are making repayments. Additionally, approximately 1,500 Royal Air Force (RAF) personnel have been identified as having received erroneous AIP payments, which are required to be repaid; this represents 15% of all RAF AIP payments made.</p><p> </p><p>The total that has been overpaid and which is being paid back is in the region of £3.1 million. Each Service person or ex-Service person is required to repay the amount owed. As described above, each case may be subject to challenges and objections. The average amount to be repaid per person is in the region of £1,285 and the date by which payment must be paid varies according to the specific circumstances of each case.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Broxtowe more like this
star this property answering member printed Anna Soubry more like this
star this property grouped question UIN
225421 more like this
225422 more like this
225423 more like this
225641 more like this
225642 more like this
225643 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2015-03-04T17:39:09.12Zmore like thismore than 2015-03-04T17:39:09.12Z
star this property answering member
3938
star this property label Biography information for Anna Soubry more like this
star this property tabling member
1438
unstar this property label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones more like this
223585
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2015-02-25more like thismore than 2015-02-25
star this property answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
star this property answering dept id 11 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Defence more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Defence more like this
star this property hansard heading Armed Forces: Pay remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what method his Department uses to calculate money owed by members of the armed forces as a result of errors in Accelerated Incremental Progression payments. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency North Durham more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Mr Kevan Jones more like this
star this property uin 225422 more like this
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unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
unstar this property date of answer less than 2015-03-04more like thismore than 2015-03-04
star this property answer text <p>Accelerated Incremental Progression (AIP) allows a Service person an immediate progression in their pay level as a result of a work-related course or a qualification. Each individual can qualify and claim for two AIPs during their career, at a point of their choosing.</p><p> </p><p>Our Service personnel do a difficult job and it is important they receive accurate pay for the hard work they do. While the majority of awards are made correctly, misinterpretation of the published qualifying criteria for AIP has resulted in some individuals receiving an incorrect award. Unfortunately, payment errors occur occasionally. We obviously regret such occurrences. It is right that we correct identified errors and ask for repayment of monies wrongly received. Allowing individuals to keep money that they are not entitled to would be unfair to both taxpayers and other Service personnel who did not receive this payment. It would also be inconsistent with HM Treasury instructions on the management of public money.</p><p> </p><p>If an individual overpayment to a Service person is equal to or less than four days’ gross pay then the full sum is recovered, without notification, from the next monthly salary payment. For overpayments greater than four days’ gross pay, a notification is made on the next available monthly payslip that a debt has been incurred. Recovery action is then scheduled after two subsequent pay periods, and any overpayments recovered are made at no more than four days’ gross pay per month.</p><p> </p><p>Service personnel who wish to challenge the reason for any recovery of an overpayment may submit a case through their Chain of Command to Defence Business Services. In addition, processes are in place for Service personnel: to agree to pay back any overpayment over a shorter period; to make a formal objection against recovery on hardship or other grounds and; to argue that the debt be written off or repaid over a longer period. All recoveries are postponed while casework or objections are being considered.</p><p> </p><p>Errors in the payment of AIP are dealt with in the same way as any other payment error - the account is corrected and any overpayment recovered. The calculation of money owed is simply the difference between what has been paid and what should have been paid had the error not occurred. AIP does not occur at a particular rate or have a defined cash value.</p><p> </p><p>Courses and qualifications which are eligible for AIP payments are listed in Joint Service Publication (JSP) 754 (Tri-Service Regulations for Pay and Charges), which is updated biannually as required to meet Service manning requirements. The single Services are responsible for decisions on which courses or qualifications should qualify for AIP payments. It is not possible to quantify the number of people who may have erroneously applied for AIP payments on the basis of the criteria relevant to any particular edition of this JSP. Overpayments can occur for a number of reasons which do not necessarily arise from changes to eligibility criteria set out in JSP 754, although erroneous claims for courses which are no longer eligible can be a factor.</p><p> </p><p>Information about the number of Service personnel who have repaid money as a result of AIP payment errors since 2010 could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, our records indicate that 488 Army personnel who received erroneous AIP payments have repaid or are making repayments and 423 Royal Navy personnel who received an overpayment through the misapplication of Qualification Points have repaid or are making repayments. Additionally, approximately 1,500 Royal Air Force (RAF) personnel have been identified as having received erroneous AIP payments, which are required to be repaid; this represents 15% of all RAF AIP payments made.</p><p> </p><p>The total that has been overpaid and which is being paid back is in the region of £3.1 million. Each Service person or ex-Service person is required to repay the amount owed. As described above, each case may be subject to challenges and objections. The average amount to be repaid per person is in the region of £1,285 and the date by which payment must be paid varies according to the specific circumstances of each case.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Broxtowe more like this
star this property answering member printed Anna Soubry more like this
star this property grouped question UIN
225421 more like this
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less than 2015-03-04T17:39:08.893Zmore like thismore than 2015-03-04T17:39:08.893Z
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star this property label Biography information for Anna Soubry more like this
star this property tabling member
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unstar this property label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones more like this