In 2024, AFF, with the support of the other two families federations, ran a tri-service pay survey, which aimed to provide evidence directly from military families to the Armed Forces Pay Review Body.
A total of 90 per cent of army families who responded to AFF’s survey told us that they needed to make spending cuts in various areas of their lives, and 48 per cent had increased their level of debt over the last 12 months. Only 28 per cent of serving personnel were satisfied with their current rate of pay, and only 22 per cent of army families reported they were satisfied with their current financial situation.
With the cost of living still significantly affecting families, survey respondents told us that having two incomes was essential. However, the strain that mobility places on army family life can make it challenging for spouses or partners to gain employment.
One soldier said: “The pay package is not enough to live on as a single income family. The spouse needs to work now as well to achieve a decent standard of living. So, the army needs to accept that, to avoid a retention crisis, it needs to be more flexible in allowing the serving person to have regular childcare duties – for example, school drop-off. Either that or pay a significant amount more so families can live on one income again.”