Following the recent AFPRB award and its headline increase of 3.6% for the current year, the 2027/28 armed forces pay round has now begun.

Each year's review process formally begins with a "remit letter" from the Defence Secretary to the Pay Review Body chair.

Mr Jarvis has now issued the 2027/28 remit letter, which thanks the Board chair Julian Miller and members "for your independent expert advice and insight, and the contribution the collective membership makes on behalf of Service Personnel."

The letter also particularly thanked the Board "for working with us to bring Pay Round 26 forward." 

Since the pay year begins on 1st April, the original aim was to complete the pay review process and have the recommendations accepted by Government in time for any changes to be in place by that date, with no need for later adjustment. This created greater certainty for service personnel and families who might, for example, be applying for a mortgage at that time of year.

For some years now the AFPRB publication date has slipped beyond 1st April. Sometimes this has been justified as allowing the Government to find funding for a better pay settlement.

For 2027/28, the pay round has been launched earlier than the current year's. To "help us get the pay award announcement back on time", the AFPRB has been asked to submit their report in February. AFPRB reports are not actually published until their recommendations have been considered and (usually) accepted. 

The remit letter says

it is more important than ever that our military personnel continue to be recognised in such a way that reflects their contribution to our society, the unique nature of the work they do and the context in which they operate...

But the letter also cautions that:

While Defence spending is set to increase, much of this is earmarked for Capital programmes and the Resource Departmental Expenditure Limit available to the MOD remains taut. We must therefore acknowledge that high pay awards come with challenging trade-offs elsewhere.

• Armed Forces pay round 2027 - remit letter