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1028530
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2018-12-19more like thismore than 2018-12-19
answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
answering dept id 11 more like this
answering dept short name Defence more like this
answering dept sort name Defence more like this
hansard heading Armed Forces: Pay remove filter
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made the number of members of the armed forces that have been paid an annual salary of (a) less than and (b) more than £30,000 in each year since 2010. more like this
tabling member constituency Coventry South more like this
tabling member printed
Mr Jim Cunningham more like this
uin 203791 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-01-07more like thismore than 2019-01-07
answer text <p>The number of members of the Armed Forces that have been paid an annual salary of less than and more than £30,000 in each year since 2010 is shown below</p><p> </p><p>Table 1 - UK Regular Forces Salaries at 1 April 2010 to 1 April 2018*</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Date</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Less than £30,000</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>More than £30,000</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>01/04/2010</p></td><td><p>97,700</p></td><td><p>94,010</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>01/04/2011</p></td><td><p>93,240</p></td><td><p>93,130</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>01/04/2012</p></td><td><p>89,650</p></td><td><p>90,160</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>01/04/2013</p></td><td><p>83,850</p></td><td><p>86,860</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>01/04/2014</p></td><td><p>76,230</p></td><td><p>83,400</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>01/04/2015</p></td><td><p>73,170</p></td><td><p>80,550</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>01/04/2016</p></td><td><p>62,710</p></td><td><p>88,290</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>01/04/2017</p></td><td><p>62,600</p></td><td><p>86,770</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>01/04/2018</p></td><td><p>61,200</p></td><td><p>85,360</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>*Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10, unless they end in &quot;5&quot;, in which case they are rounded to the nearest 20 to avoid systematic bias.</p><p> </p><p>UK Regular Forces comprises all UK Regulars from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force. Gurkhas and Full Time Reserve Service.</p><p> </p><p>There were a small number of individuals who did not have a pay record. Where this was the case their NATO Rank was used to determine their salary.</p><p> </p><p>Salary is defined as gross basic pay plus X-Factor and any Job Evaluation Supplements. Employer and pension contributions, allowances and other types of financial assistance, including expenses, are excluded. The salary is taken as a snapshot at 1 April each year.</p>
answering member constituency Bournemouth East more like this
answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-01-07T16:11:33.36Zmore like thismore than 2019-01-07T16:11:33.36Z
answering member
1487
label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood more like this
tabling member
308
label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham more like this
1121827
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-04-18more like thismore than 2019-04-18
answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
answering dept id 11 more like this
answering dept short name Defence more like this
answering dept sort name Defence more like this
hansard heading Armed Forces: Pay remove filter
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the recommendations made by the Armed Forces Pay Review Body in each year since 2008-09 to date; and what the final settlement was for Royal Navy personnel in each such year. more like this
tabling member constituency Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport more like this
tabling member printed
Luke Pollard more like this
uin 246002 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-04-30more like thismore than 2019-04-30
answer text <p>The Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB) is an independent advisory non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Copies of the AFPRB's reports, containing their recommendations, can be found at the following link:</p><p>https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/armed-forces-pay-review-body</p><p>The AFPRB's recommendations have always been accepted by the MOD. The reports contain the final settlements for the Armed Forces.</p><p>Copies of the AFPRB's reports are also available in the Vote Office.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Bournemouth East more like this
answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-04-30T15:01:12.93Zmore like thismore than 2019-04-30T15:01:12.93Z
answering member
1487
label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood more like this
tabling member
4682
label Biography information for Luke Pollard more like this
1127391
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-05-20more like thismore than 2019-05-20
answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
answering dept id 11 more like this
answering dept short name Defence more like this
answering dept sort name Defence more like this
hansard heading Armed Forces: Pay remove filter
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text What recent discussions she has had with the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body on levels of pay for the armed forces. more like this
tabling member constituency Stockton North more like this
tabling member printed
Alex Cunningham more like this
uin 910988 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-05-20more like thismore than 2019-05-20
answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence has provided the Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body with all its evidence to support their recommendations for Pay Round 2019-20 and is awaiting submission of the Pay Review Body’s final report. The Government will then consider the recommendations before agreeing the final 2019 Armed Forces Pay Award, taking into account the need to recruit, retain, and motivate suitably able and qualified personnel, as well as the long term affordability of the Armed Forces.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Bournemouth East more like this
answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-05-20T16:45:11.767Zmore like thismore than 2019-05-20T16:45:11.767Z
answering member
1487
label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood more like this
tabling member
4122
label Biography information for Alex Cunningham more like this
1127776
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-05-21more like thismore than 2019-05-21
answering body
Treasury more like this
answering dept id 14 more like this
answering dept short name Treasury more like this
answering dept sort name Treasury more like this
hansard heading Armed Forces: Pay remove filter
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to publish a letter from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to the Armed Forces Pay Review Body Chair providing information about Government policy on public sector pay for the forthcoming pay round. more like this
tabling member constituency Llanelli more like this
tabling member printed
Nia Griffith more like this
uin 256979 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-06-04more like thismore than 2019-06-04
answer text <p>The Defence Secretary wrote to the Chair of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body in November 2018, setting out their remit for the 2019/20 pay round.</p><p> </p><p>This year’s pay round is currently in progress, and the Government will respond to the recommendations of the Pay Review Bodies in due course.</p><p> </p><p>The pay round for 2020/21 has not begun yet and will commence as usual in the Autumn.</p><p> </p><p>Last year, members of the Armed Forces received a well-above inflation increase of 2.9%, worth £680 in pay, plus a one-off payment of £300, to an average soldier.</p><p> </p> more like this
answering member constituency South West Norfolk more like this
answering member printed Elizabeth Truss more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-06-04T06:59:33.587Zmore like thismore than 2019-06-04T06:59:33.587Z
answering member
4097
label Biography information for Elizabeth Truss more like this
tabling member
1541
label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith more like this
1127959
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-05-21more like thismore than 2019-05-21
answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
answering dept id 11 more like this
answering dept short name Defence more like this
answering dept sort name Defence more like this
hansard heading Armed Forces: Pay remove filter
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions she has had with the Armed Forces Pay Review Body on levels of pay for the armed forces. more like this
tabling member constituency Slough more like this
tabling member printed
Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi more like this
uin 257143 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-06-04more like thismore than 2019-06-04
answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence has provided the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body with all its evidence to support their recommendations for Pay Round 2019-20. The Armed Forces' Pay Review Body have submitted their report and Her Majesty's Government is currently considering the recommendations before agreeing the final 2019 Armed Forces Pay Award.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Bournemouth East more like this
answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-06-04T15:01:20.247Zmore like thismore than 2019-06-04T15:01:20.247Z
answering member
1487
label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood more like this
tabling member
4638
label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi more like this
1137462
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-07-08more like thismore than 2019-07-08
answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
answering dept id 11 more like this
answering dept short name Defence more like this
answering dept sort name Defence more like this
hansard heading Armed Forces: Pay remove filter
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date she plans to agree the 2019-20 pay settlement with the Armed Forces Pay Review Body. more like this
tabling member constituency Llanelli more like this
tabling member printed
Nia Griffith more like this
uin 274485 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer remove maximum value filtermore like thismore than 2019-07-11
answer text <p>The Armed Forces' Pay Review Body submitted their report in May 2019 alongside all other public sector pay review bodies. The Government is currently considering the recommendations before agreeing the final 2019 Armed Forces Pay Award, taking into account the need to recruit, retain, and motivate suitably able and qualified personnel, as well as the long term affordability of the Armed Forces. Once a decision has been reached, as with previous years, the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body report will be published and any pay rises backdated to 1 April 2019.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Bournemouth East more like this
answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-07-11T15:04:34.227Zmore like thismore than 2019-07-11T15:04:34.227Z
answering member
1487
label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood more like this
tabling member
1541
label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith more like this
223579
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2015-02-25more like thismore than 2015-02-25
answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
answering dept id 11 more like this
answering dept short name Defence more like this
answering dept sort name Defence more like this
hansard heading Armed Forces: Pay remove filter
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
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
tabling member constituency North Durham more like this
tabling member printed
Mr Kevan Jones more like this
uin 225421 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2015-03-04more like thismore than 2015-03-04
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>
answering member constituency Broxtowe more like this
answering member printed Anna Soubry more like this
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
question first answered
less than 2015-03-04T17:39:08.75Zmore like thismore than 2015-03-04T17:39:08.75Z
answering member
3938
label Biography information for Anna Soubry more like this
tabling member
1438
label Biography information for Lord Beamish more like this
223582
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2015-02-25more like thismore than 2015-02-25
answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
answering dept id 11 more like this
answering dept short name Defence more like this
answering dept sort name Defence more like this
hansard heading Armed Forces: Pay remove filter
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
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
tabling member constituency North Durham more like this
tabling member printed
Mr Kevan Jones more like this
uin 225424 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2015-03-04more like thismore than 2015-03-04
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>
answering member constituency Broxtowe more like this
answering member printed Anna Soubry more like this
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
question first answered
less than 2015-03-04T17:39:09.12Zmore like thismore than 2015-03-04T17:39:09.12Z
answering member
3938
label Biography information for Anna Soubry more like this
tabling member
1438
label Biography information for Lord Beamish more like this
223585
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2015-02-25more like thismore than 2015-02-25
answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
answering dept id 11 more like this
answering dept short name Defence more like this
answering dept sort name Defence more like this
hansard heading Armed Forces: Pay remove filter
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
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
tabling member constituency North Durham more like this
tabling member printed
Mr Kevan Jones more like this
uin 225422 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2015-03-04more like thismore than 2015-03-04
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>
answering member constituency Broxtowe more like this
answering member printed Anna Soubry more like this
grouped question UIN
225421 more like this
225423 more like this
225424 more like this
225641 more like this
225642 more like this
225643 more like this
question first answered
less than 2015-03-04T17:39:08.893Zmore like thismore than 2015-03-04T17:39:08.893Z
answering member
3938
label Biography information for Anna Soubry more like this
tabling member
1438
label Biography information for Lord Beamish more like this
223587
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2015-02-25more like thismore than 2015-02-25
answering body
Ministry of Defence more like this
answering dept id 11 more like this
answering dept short name Defence more like this
answering dept sort name Defence more like this
hansard heading Armed Forces: Pay remove filter
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what provisions are in place to ensure that service personnel receive adequate notice when they owe money because of errors in Accelerated Incremental Progression payments. more like this
tabling member constituency North Durham more like this
tabling member printed
Mr Kevan Jones more like this
uin 225423 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2015-03-04more like thismore than 2015-03-04
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>
answering member constituency Broxtowe more like this
answering member printed Anna Soubry more like this
grouped question UIN
225421 more like this
225422 more like this
225424 more like this
225641 more like this
225642 more like this
225643 more like this
question first answered
less than 2015-03-04T17:39:09.01Zmore like thismore than 2015-03-04T17:39:09.01Z
answering member
3938
label Biography information for Anna Soubry more like this
tabling member
1438
label Biography information for Lord Beamish more like this