During Questions for the Secretary of Defence at the House of Commons on Monday, North Wiltshire MP James Gray spoke up for the Armed Forces, and highlighted the need for the service men and women to receive a fair level of pay. Mr Gray stated:

“Rates of pay have an important role to play in retention and recruitment, particularly perhaps among the younger, newly recruited members. What consideration has my right hon. Friend given to introducing the concept of the living wage to our Armed Forces?”

​The Secretary of State for Defence, Penny Mordaunt agreed with Mr Gray’s point, responding that:

“I think that that is what we should be doing. Our Armed Forces have been exempt from that, so I have said that we must do it. It would mean a pay increase of a couple of thousand pounds for the lowest paid soldiers, sailors, airmen and women, but I think that that is what we should be doing. That is certainly my policy.”

After the debate, James Gray added:

“Our Armed Forces are among the most extraordinarily talented and hardworking people in our society. I am proud of the fact that we have the most professional and effective Armed Forces in the world. We need to ensure that that the overall package they receive reflects the value we place on their work, and this is what I will be working hard to achieve in Parliament.”