VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Armed Forces: Pay

Asked by James CartlidgeConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 10 March 2026UIN 116946

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many individuals have received an operational tour bonus in each of the ten previous financial years.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones

The total cost of Operational Allowance paid to Service Personnel in each Financial Year since 2015-16, and the numbers in receipt, are set out below:

Financial Year

Numbers in receipt of Op Allowance

Total Op Allowance

2015-16

4,290

£10,709,745.54

2016-17

5,748

£14,668,691.79

2017-18

6,972

£21,038,734.63

2018-19

7,653

£24,554,593.59

2019-20

7,886

£26,621,504.81

2020-21

6,140

£18,587,048.82

2021-22

6,399

£16,596,044.66

2022-23

5,164

£13,673,498.62

2023-24

4,916

£13,663,602.68

2024-25

5,330

£13,091,473.38

2025-26 to date

6,625

£12,896,081.72

Total

44,439

£186,101,020.24

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim