UK forces in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Balkans will receive cash bonuses to pay off their tax bill. But an argument over low pay for high risk is nothing new in the British army, writes Peter Caddick-Adams.
UK forces in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Balkans will receive cash bonuses to pay off their tax bill. But an argument over low pay for high risk is nothing new in the British army, writes Peter Caddick-Adams.
"Extra tax-free bonus?" "Yes, please. I'll have some of that." The news that British service personnel in combat zones are to receive a £2,000 tax-free supplement to their pay will be welcome news for the soldiers, their dependents and many supporters.
"Extra tax-free bonus?" "Yes, please. I'll have some of that." The news that British service personnel in combat zones are to receive a £2,000 tax-free supplement to their pay will be welcome news for the soldiers, their dependents and many supporters.
Forces' pay scales have always been a contentious issue and Defence Secretary Des Browne's windfall distribution is a nod to the fact that UK forces these days never fight on their own, but in coalitions of many nations.
Forces' pay scales have always been a contentious issue and Defence Secretary Des Browne's windfall distribution is a nod to the fact that UK forces these days never fight on their own, but in coalitions of many nations.
WHO, WHAT, WHY? A regular feature in the BBC News Magazine - aiming to answer some of the questions behind the headlines
WHO, WHAT, WHY? A regular feature in the BBC News Magazine - aiming to answer some of the questions behind the headlines
And in such alliances, soldiers, sailors and airmen inevitably compare their pay and conditions. The bonus is actually a belated recognition that the pay and welfare package offered to UK forces has fallen behind that of other nations.
And in such alliances, soldiers, sailors and airmen inevitably compare their pay and conditions. The bonus is actually a belated recognition that the pay and welfare package offered to UK forces has fallen behind that of other nations.
In Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia, peace-keeping and war fighting is undertaken by alliances of up to 20 nations, each with different pay scales and cultural approaches to the military.
In Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia, peace-keeping and war fighting is undertaken by alliances of up to 20 nations, each with different pay scales and cultural approaches to the military.
Many of these nations support their soldiers by waiving their taxes when on military operations, or paying them a higher rate of pay.
Many of these nations support their soldiers by waiving their taxes when on military operations, or paying them a higher rate of pay.
Two shillings per day
Two shillings per day
It's not just the money; some nations are generous with free parcels for soldiers, free phone calls home, good food, and extensive internet and entertainment facilities.
It's not just the money; some nations are generous with free parcels for soldiers, free phone calls home, good food, and extensive internet and entertainment facilities.
Conscripts in the Second World War were paid 14 shillings per week
Conscripts in the Second World War were paid 14 shillings per week
This is very necessary in the pressure cooker of high-tempo military operations, when each day personnel are risking their lives, in a way that civilian personnel back home do not.
This is very necessary in the pressure cooker of high-tempo military operations, when each day personnel are risking their lives, in a way that civilian personnel back home do not.
Alas, the UK forces have found they were lagging behind in most of these respects, compared with other nations, and the government is now addressing the issue.
Alas, the UK forces have found they were lagging behind in most of these respects, compared with other nations, and the government is now addressing the issue.
Ex-soldiers of a certain age may grimace and recall that during the conflicts of World War Two, Korea, Suez or Borneo they had no such benefits, but then again the British forces largely fought on their own, and the opportunities to compare pay and conditions arose less often.
Ex-soldiers of a certain age may grimace and recall that during the conflicts of World War Two, Korea, Suez or Borneo they had no such benefits, but then again the British forces largely fought on their own, and the opportunities to compare pay and conditions arose less often.
Nevertheless, pay was never as generous as today. A soldier in the Somerset Light Infantry recalled that when he was conscripted in 1939, his pay was two shillings (10 pence) per day, or 14 shillings per week (70 pence), but that his civilian job had paid him £6 (120 shillings per week).
Nevertheless, pay was never as generous as today. A soldier in the Somerset Light Infantry recalled that when he was conscripted in 1939, his pay was two shillings (10 pence) per day, or 14 shillings per week (70 pence), but that his civilian job had paid him £6 (120 shillings per week).
By contrast, when the better-paid American servicemen arrived in England from 1942 onwards, they were referred to as "oversexed, overpaid, and over here", by their underpaid British counterparts.
By contrast, when the better-paid American servicemen arrived in England from 1942 onwards, they were referred to as "oversexed, overpaid, and over here", by their underpaid British counterparts.
Pay grousing
Pay grousing
Part of the jealousy arose from the Yanks luring many British girls with their smarter uniforms and higher pay, and seemingly unlimited access to rationed items like cigarettes, chocolate and nylon stockings (though why the US military should come equipped with huge quantities of nylon stockings has always mystified me).
Part of the jealousy arose from the Yanks luring many British girls with their smarter uniforms and higher pay, and seemingly unlimited access to rationed items like cigarettes, chocolate and nylon stockings (though why the US military should come equipped with huge quantities of nylon stockings has always mystified me).
Munitions workers earned more than soldiers in the First World War
Munitions workers earned more than soldiers in the First World War
Soldiers with time on their hands have traditionally groused about pay and conditions - indeed one general observed he would know there was something wrong with his army if they were not complaining.
Soldiers with time on their hands have traditionally groused about pay and conditions - indeed one general observed he would know there was something wrong with his army if they were not complaining.
In World War One, when a serviceman's basic wage was one shilling a day (5 pence), soldiers found it unfair that women war workers in munitions factories earned much more on piecework than they did, and could afford to take them out for a drink, rather than the other way about.
In World War One, when a serviceman's basic wage was one shilling a day (5 pence), soldiers found it unfair that women war workers in munitions factories earned much more on piecework than they did, and could afford to take them out for a drink, rather than the other way about.
British soldiers and sailors were traditionally paid sixpence a day for their services, which rose to eight pence during the reign of Queen Anne.
British soldiers and sailors were traditionally paid sixpence a day for their services, which rose to eight pence during the reign of Queen Anne.
From the Duke of Wellington's day, every British soldier was issued with a pay book. (The sample name the Duke chose to show soldiers how to complete it was "Thomas Atkins", hence British troops ever after being known as "Tommies".)
From the Duke of Wellington's day, every British soldier was issued with a pay book. (The sample name the Duke chose to show soldiers how to complete it was "Thomas Atkins", hence British troops ever after being known as "Tommies".)
This eventually became the 'Service and Pay Book', whose 20 pages recorded every aspect of your life, and became, in effect, your passport.
This eventually became the 'Service and Pay Book', whose 20 pages recorded every aspect of your life, and became, in effect, your passport.
Last will and testament
Last will and testament
Army Book 64 for generations of service personnel contained your service number, personal ID, training records, employment history, medical data, next of kin identification and a page for your last will and testament.
Army Book 64 for generations of service personnel contained your service number, personal ID, training records, employment history, medical data, next of kin identification and a page for your last will and testament.
You had to keep it on your person at all times and failure to produce it was a punishable offence. As it contained details of all pay advanced to you, money (or lack of it) was never far from a soldier's mind.
You had to keep it on your person at all times and failure to produce it was a punishable offence. As it contained details of all pay advanced to you, money (or lack of it) was never far from a soldier's mind.
Although Army Book 64 has long been replaced by automated payslips, and salaries are paid monthly by credit, rather than weekly in jingling cash, pay is never far from the serviceman's mind.
Although Army Book 64 has long been replaced by automated payslips, and salaries are paid monthly by credit, rather than weekly in jingling cash, pay is never far from the serviceman's mind.
Usually because if death is around the corner, the fear is that partners and families could be left destitute - and that is not a concern that most civilians share.
Usually because if death is around the corner, the fear is that partners and families could be left destitute - and that is not a concern that most civilians share.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
When you break it down, a soldier in the British Army is paid a daily rate - the lowest rate for a qualified soldier being £37.99. When you take it in the military that sometimes you work hellish long hours during deployment this daily rate equates to £1.58 per hour you can see why the average British soldier feels a bit undervalued in comparison to other occupations. I know this over simplifies the amount paid but as an ex-serving soldier I can testify to frequently going for days on end with very little sleep, surely the time has come to pay a decent rate of pay for the job our troops do, after all we don't ask much for defending the country.Michael Godfrey, Ayr
When you break it down, a soldier in the British Army is paid a daily rate - the lowest rate for a qualified soldier being £37.99. When you take it in the military that sometimes you work hellish long hours during deployment this daily rate equates to £1.58 per hour you can see why the average British soldier feels a bit undervalued in comparison to other occupations. I know this over simplifies the amount paid but as an ex-serving soldier I can testify to frequently going for days on end with very little sleep, surely the time has come to pay a decent rate of pay for the job our troops do, after all we don't ask much for defending the country.Michael Godfrey, Ayr
I'd have to disagree with you on the issue of the fear that partners and families being left destitute. Even civilians take out insurance and assurance policies to benefit their families in the event of their death. Keeping a sense of perspective, there will probably be more British people dying on the roads of the UK today than will die in military action as British soldiers.John Airey, Peterborough
I'd have to disagree with you on the issue of the fear that partners and families being left destitute. Even civilians take out insurance and assurance policies to benefit their families in the event of their death. Keeping a sense of perspective, there will probably be more British people dying on the roads of the UK today than will die in military action as British soldiers.John Airey, Peterborough
In answer to to of your contributers, John Airey and Trish of Scotland. Most insurance policies exclude war risks or charge a substantial surcharge for life cover for a serviceman. The housing which the guys and girls live in is rented ie they pay rent out of their wage just as they would in civilian life, they also pay council tax and for gas water and electricity. I am sure that Trish wouldn't like to live in some of the housing the troops have.Ian, Fareham
My Son-in-Law has recently returned from a tour in Iraq. He is a naval medic. Not only will he not receive any additional pay nor any tax advantage because his tour was only for three months,(not six)but the travel allowances he receives in the UK were withdrawn. So in effect his pay was reduced by several hundred pounds a month. To add insult to injury he will not be receiving a campaign medal as it was a peace keeping mission. It has to be said, however that whilst my daughter, who is six months pregnant, was eternally grateful that her husband was only away for three months, she did miss the 'travel' supplement in his pay packet... Steve Clement, Broadstairs
Privateers and militia men can be said to have been well paid. Look to the likes of Captain Morgan and in later times members of the East India Company. Private armies are a viable option when faced with world turmoil.Simon, London
Privateers and militia men can be said to have been well paid. Look to the likes of Captain Morgan and in later times members of the East India Company. Private armies are a viable option when faced with world turmoil.Simon, London
While I agree that soldiers might be underpaid, there are other considerations. I believe (although I may well be wrong) that a lot of army type people live in housing on barracks. So they don't need money for stuff that most of us do. Also, the last paragraph - actually there are an awful lot of civillians worried that if they die, their families will be destitute. Me for one. Trish, Scotland
While I agree that soldiers might be underpaid, there are other considerations. I believe (although I may well be wrong) that a lot of army type people live in housing on barracks. So they don't need money for stuff that most of us do. Also, the last paragraph - actually there are an awful lot of civillians worried that if they die, their families will be destitute. Me for one. Trish, Scotland
I thought we were underpaid here. I guess not. At least I finally know what a shilling actually is even though im an Anglophile. You guys need to pay your boys (and girls) better pure and simple. We get crap for pay here, but its still better than what you give your boys. Even living in barracks or on a base; even though its cheaper to live there, life has too many costs. I must applaud your services for putting up with low pay; especially your sailors. Anchors Aweigh my Brit sailor cousinsJustin Jacobson, Petty Officer-US Navy Reserve, Retired, Chicago, Illinois
