Menu
05/06/2008
More Pay For Soldiers, Demands Army Chief
The Head of the British Army has called for more pay for soldiers.
Sir Richard Dannatt made the appeal as he revealed a traffic warden may earn more than a new soldier.
Sir Richard's comments come after the publication of an Army briefing paper last month, which revealed that increasing numbers of soldiers are now close to the poverty line.
According to the report, growing numbers were leaving the service because they could not afford to bring up a family on Army wages.
Sir Richard has called for above inflation pay rises and more welfare benefit.
The report found that many soldiers were not eating properly because they had run out of money by the end of the month. However, this is being addressed by 'Hungry Soldier' schemes.
A revision of the money available to Unit Welfare Office's (UWO) has also been requested.
The Army chief said in a recent Afghanistan visit that "to make sure we have armed services that are populated by motivated and well-trained people" it is important "to look after their individual needs well enough".
He added that servicemen and women "put their lives on the line" and "it is very hard to put a price on that".
The report cited pay as the "number one issue of dissatisfaction for both soldiers and officers" and that it was a "significant factor in maintaining morale".
A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman said that in February a pay rise of 2.6% was announced for all servicemen and women.
A private on their first operation will received a minimum of £16.227 plus a £2.320 tax-free operational allowance.
Although pay may be an issue, Britain's Armed Forces have come joint second in a City & Guilds survey of 1,000 workers who were asked how satisfied they are with their current choice of employment.
Air Commodore Tim Winstanley, Director Training and Education within the MoD said: "What comes through very clearly is that they are proud of what they do, with 91% of our most recent survey indicating a belief that the UK Armed Forces are the best in the world."
(DS/JM)
Sir Richard Dannatt made the appeal as he revealed a traffic warden may earn more than a new soldier.
Sir Richard's comments come after the publication of an Army briefing paper last month, which revealed that increasing numbers of soldiers are now close to the poverty line.
According to the report, growing numbers were leaving the service because they could not afford to bring up a family on Army wages.
Sir Richard has called for above inflation pay rises and more welfare benefit.
The report found that many soldiers were not eating properly because they had run out of money by the end of the month. However, this is being addressed by 'Hungry Soldier' schemes.
A revision of the money available to Unit Welfare Office's (UWO) has also been requested.
The Army chief said in a recent Afghanistan visit that "to make sure we have armed services that are populated by motivated and well-trained people" it is important "to look after their individual needs well enough".
He added that servicemen and women "put their lives on the line" and "it is very hard to put a price on that".
The report cited pay as the "number one issue of dissatisfaction for both soldiers and officers" and that it was a "significant factor in maintaining morale".
A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman said that in February a pay rise of 2.6% was announced for all servicemen and women.
A private on their first operation will received a minimum of £16.227 plus a £2.320 tax-free operational allowance.
Although pay may be an issue, Britain's Armed Forces have come joint second in a City & Guilds survey of 1,000 workers who were asked how satisfied they are with their current choice of employment.
Air Commodore Tim Winstanley, Director Training and Education within the MoD said: "What comes through very clearly is that they are proud of what they do, with 91% of our most recent survey indicating a belief that the UK Armed Forces are the best in the world."
(DS/JM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 August 2009
Recovery Home For Injured Soldiers Opens
Britain's first Army recovery centre to treat injured soldiers is to be officially opened. The head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff, will join other servicemen to open the convalescing centre at Erskine, Edinburgh.
Recovery Home For Injured Soldiers Opens
Britain's first Army recovery centre to treat injured soldiers is to be officially opened. The head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff, will join other servicemen to open the convalescing centre at Erskine, Edinburgh.
21 May 2003
FBU leaders agree 16% pay rise
An apparent breakthrough has been achieved in the firefighters strike as FBU representatives accepted a 16% wage increase. The union's Executive Council considered the proposed agreement at its meeting in London on 20 May 2003 and have agreed to recommend it to the membership at a recalled Annual Conference to be held in three weeks time.
FBU leaders agree 16% pay rise
An apparent breakthrough has been achieved in the firefighters strike as FBU representatives accepted a 16% wage increase. The union's Executive Council considered the proposed agreement at its meeting in London on 20 May 2003 and have agreed to recommend it to the membership at a recalled Annual Conference to be held in three weeks time.
19 August 2014
New Data Shows Women Hit By 'Mid-Life Pay Crisis'
Female managers over 40 years old are earning 35% less than men, according to new data by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and XpertHR. To earn the same as a male manager over a career, a woman would have to work the equivalent of over 14 years more.
New Data Shows Women Hit By 'Mid-Life Pay Crisis'
Female managers over 40 years old are earning 35% less than men, according to new data by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and XpertHR. To earn the same as a male manager over a career, a woman would have to work the equivalent of over 14 years more.
01 September 2011
Commission On Minimum Wage Visit
Two Low Pay Commissioners are to visit London next week on a fact-finding visit about the National Minimum Wage. The visit is one of a number of planned trips the Low Pay Commission is making around the UK during 2011 to "gather information on how the minimum wage is operating".
Commission On Minimum Wage Visit
Two Low Pay Commissioners are to visit London next week on a fact-finding visit about the National Minimum Wage. The visit is one of a number of planned trips the Low Pay Commission is making around the UK during 2011 to "gather information on how the minimum wage is operating".
26 September 2008
Funding Boost Of £455m For Equal Pay Claims
Funding of £455m will be awarded to councils in England to allow back payments relating to thousands of equal pay claims from women workers. In a move to speed up long-term commitments to achieving equal pay for all council workers, local government minister John Healey gave the go-ahead to 34 councils to raise the money through capitlisation.
Funding Boost Of £455m For Equal Pay Claims
Funding of £455m will be awarded to councils in England to allow back payments relating to thousands of equal pay claims from women workers. In a move to speed up long-term commitments to achieving equal pay for all council workers, local government minister John Healey gave the go-ahead to 34 councils to raise the money through capitlisation.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers gradually die out to leave good clear spells in the evening and overnight. This will allow a few fog patches to develop in places. A cold night with some ground frost. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
