Front line British troops in Afghanistan 'possibly' earning less than £6.31 per hour minimum wage

A review in army pay claims that long hours worked by troops may mean that they are earning less than the minimum wage.

17:14 07 April 2014

A new report released by the Armed Forces Pay Review claims that some privates in the army who are fighting in Afghanistan are not making the National Minimum Wage of £6.31 per hour minimum wage. 

 

According to the review, the long hours worked by troops, whose pay starts at £17,767 a year means that they only make £5.03 per hour. 

 

The report says: ‘It is possible for those on the lowest pay level to be earning below NMW levels if they work over 55 hours per week, for those aged 21 or over, or more than 68 hours per week if they are aged between 18 and 20. 

 

'As the average number of hours worked is much higher for those personnel on overseas operations or at sea, the more time someone spends in these locations the greater the chance of breaching NMW thresholds.’

 

Because of this, the body has recommended a one per cent increase in base pay and an increase in certain allowances to compensate them when living conditions fall below a minimum standard.