The annual report of the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body contains recommendations for the pay levels for members of the naval, military and air forces. Recommendations include: a general three per cent increase in military salaries from 1 April 2006, with a 3.3 per cent increase for private and lance corporal ranks in light of recruitment and retention issues; a three per cent increase in bounties payable to reserves and for all daily rates of specialist pay and compensatory allowances, with the introduction of an Unpleasant Living Allowance of £3 per day; graduated increases in accommodation rental charges and an increase of 3.2 per cent in food charges; and a new entrant rate of £12,162.

The annual report of the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body contains recommendations for the pay levels for members of the naval, military and air forces. Recommendations include: a three per cent increase in military salaries from 1 April 2005; a five per cent increase in daily rates of Separation Allowance and a £50 increase in associated bonuses; a three per cent increase in all rates of Specialist Pay and Compensatory Allowances; and increases in accommodation and food charges.

The Review Body's key recommendations this year are: a 2.6% increase in military salaries; a range of targeted pay measures including new financial retention incentives for submarine nuclear watchkeepers, RAF regiment gunners, RAF firefighters, REME vehicle mechanics and the Royal Artillery; a new category of specialist pay for explosive ordnance disposal operators and a targeted enhancement to submarine pay; an increase in x-factor from 13 to 14% plus revised tapering; a 2.6% increase in specialist pay, compensatory allowances and reserves' bounties; and a 3.7% increase to Grade 1 SFA/SLA rental charges and lower graduated increases below Grade 1, a phased increase to garage rent and introduction of the daily food charge

This report recommends a 6.6% increase, plus the DDRB recommended increase, for accredited DMS consultants, general medical and dental practitioners, higher medical management staff and DMS reserve equivalents; a 2.2 % increase for DMS junior doctors in training, cadets and reserve equivalents; a 2.4% increase for associate specialists; a 2.2% increase in the value of DMS clinical excellence awards, distinction awards and DMS trainer pay

The Committee investigated the provision of healthcare for the armed forces, and examined six key areas. The first was the treatment of personnel seriously wounded on operations, and the procedures for caring for them, from the point of wounding to evacuation to and treatment in the United Kingdom. The second area was the rehabilitation work for those with serious musculo-skeletal or neurological, injuries. The third was the relationship between the Ministry of Defence and the National Health Service in terms of delivering healthcare. The fourth area examined was the care for veterans and service families. The fifth issue was mental healthcare, both for service personnel and for veterans. Finally, the report examines the role of reserve personnel in the Defence Medical Services. Clinical care provided by the Defence Medical Services (DMS), in conjunction with the NHS, for personnel injured on operations is world-class. Rehabilitation work is also found to be exceptional. Services to the armed forces are delivered by the DMS, NHS, charities and welfare organisations, and this helps link the community with service personnel. The Committee would like a wider debate on which services are most appropriately provided by each sector. The Ministry of Defence's decision to base its secondary care around units embedded in NHS Trust is supported, but there is scope for more sharing of best practice between the DMS and the NHS. With veterans, the Committee is not sure adequate procedures are in place to identify veterans and to ensure priority access to services. Mental health is a vital responsibility for DMS, but a robust tracking system for veterans is needed. The reserve forces' contribution to the delivery of military healthcare is praised, but there is a danger of being overstretched.

This Report sets out recommendations on pay in the Defence Medical Services (DMS) from 1 April 2010 together with the supporting evidence. The context is one of continuing economic uncertainty, sustained commitment to operations in Afghanistan and continued manning shortfalls. The aim is to maintain broad pay comparability with National Health Service (NHS) doctors and dentists and to enable the DMS to recruit, retain and motivate suitably qualified personnel. In 2009, Defence Medical Service manning generally continued the positive trend of recent years. As at 1 April, the trained strength of Medical Officers was 74 per cent of the trained requirement - an increase of 32 trained Medical Officers. Trained Dental Officer manning was 92 per cent of requirement, accounted for by increased numbers obtaining accreditation. DMS recruitment continued with some success but still fell short of targets for Medical Officers and Dental Officers. While the DMS has been able to meet all of its operational commitments, this has only been achieved by augmenting the Regulars with a mix of Reserves, NHS and contract staff. It is recognised that pay was not the only solution to manning shortfalls and that non-pay related measures may have a role to play in addressing retention. Pay recommendations range from no increase to 1.5 per cent for certain grades. The Review Body encourages MOD to make progress on measures outside of pay to help DMS recruit and retain the highly skilled and motivated personnel needed to address current and future challenges.