Closed petition: Increase Private pay in the army so it's not the same as the Recruits'

Closed on 5 June 2025

Recruits who have not yet completed their training are receiving the same annual salary of £25,500 as fully trained Privates (including all equivalent ranks).

We think revised pay to increase Privates' pay, honouring their potential risk & experience should be seen to.

Recruits are in training and lack the skill set of trained soldiers. Unlike Privates, Recruits aren’t deployable and don’t face combat risks, so we think equal pay doesn’t reflect the dangers trained soldiers face.

We think equating the pay of recruits with that of trained soldiers undermines the value of the training, experience, and commitment that Privates have invested in their careers.

Recruits and Privates are not the same, and neither should their pay be.