Commons Sense

Hansard-based summaries and metrics

Cost of Living Armed Forces Personnel 2024-01-08

2024-01-08

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Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Mary Foy Lab
City of Durham
▸ Context
The question arises from constituents facing financial difficulties due to domestic assignments, including reports of individuals turning to food banks. The context includes a constituent who is out of pocket by thousands of pounds.
What steps are being taken to support armed forces personnel with the cost of living? A constituent—a serving officer—finds himself thousands of pounds out of pocket, and others report relying on food banks due to financial strain from domestic assignments. What discussions are taking place to expand measures?
Andrew Murrison
The Ministry of Defence has introduced measures such as capping subsidised accommodation charges at 1%, freezing daily food charges, increasing travelling allowances by 7%, providing wraparound childcare to families, and implementing a significant pay increase of 9.7% for the lowest ranks.
▸ Assessment & feedback
The answer does not address the specific ask about expanding measures beyond current initiatives.
Cost Of Living Crisis Has Affected All Constituents Recognised Pressures On The Lowest Paid
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Mary Foy Lab
City of Durham
▸ Context
A constituent serving as an officer is financially strained, reportedly turning to food banks due to the cost of domestic assignments.
What discussions are taking place to expand measures addressing financial burdens on service personnel during the cost of living crisis?
Andrew Murrison
The Ministry of Defence has introduced a 9.7% pay increase, accepted in full from the Armed Forces Pay Review Body recommendation, which is unique across the public sector for the last year.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Did not address expanding measures to alleviate financial burdens beyond current initiatives.
9.7% Uplift In Pay
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Jesse Norman Con
Hereford and South Herefordshire
▸ Context
The question highlights the additional burdens faced by special forces members both in families and in the field, seeking support.
Will the Minister consider the additional financial burdens on special forces members when thinking about ways to ameliorate their living circumstances?
Andrew Murrison
The special forces are always at the forefront of our minds, but we never talk about them explicitly.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Did not address considerations for special measures specifically for special forces members.
Never Talk About Them
Response accuracy