With current pay structures broken by government-imposed pay restraint and the moratorium on pay progression, Prospect says that reward has become a defence-critical issue. All MoD employers are experiencing difficulties in recruitment and retention of staff with key strategic skills, while staff motivation and engagement are at an all-time low. The union says that a review of pay structures across MoD is required to safeguard the UK’s defence and national security capability.

The manifesto warns of the productivity and business risks associated with poor reward structures, and highlights the impact of deficiencies in the current pay structures on MoD staffing and operations. It sets out a checklist of criteria for future pay strategies, which will inform the union’s stance in negotiations over new pay proposals from MoD employers.

Prospect will continue to engage to get the best possible outcome in annual pay reviews, but the union is determined to campaign for MoD employers to take a fresh look at pay in the context of the changing defence threat and the challenges of the 2015 SDSR.