Hundreds of RAF personnel suffering from pay errors - Liberal Democrats

10.25.19pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 2nd Aug 2006

Figures revealed by the Liberal Democrats today show that hundreds of Royal Air Force personnel, including those serving overseas, had errors in their wages in May and June, with many still not receiving the correct pay.

The mistakes stem from failures in the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) system rolled out in March with the aim of simplifying the procedure for paying members of the Armed Forces.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey MP said "Given the enormous burdens on our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the pressure on their families who depend on regular salary payments, there must be a concerted effort to ensure the salary system is both effective and reliable.

"When the JPA system was rolled out officials said the measure of its success would be the first round of payments made in April, yet scores of mistakes are still being made.

"Flaws in the system must be urgently addressed by the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency.

"Crucially, they must be rectified by the time the system is implemented in the Royal Navy in October and then the Army in March 2007."

Roger Williams MP, who obtained the figures, added "I was alerted to these startling inaccuracies by a constituent of mine who has been significantly underpaid for the last two months. He also claims that one in three in his front-line unit have experienced the same difficulties, and none have received the bonus payment they are meant to get when serving away from their parent unit.

"This has placed pressure on RAF morale, as well as causing financial difficulties for their families at home."