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<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>
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