Royal Fleet Auxiliary Pay Rise Brings Higher Wages and More Leave

Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel covered by the accepted pay agreement are due to receive:

• A 4.5% pay rise from 1 April 2025
• A further 3.6% pay rise from 1 April 2026
• A £250 one-off payment
• Improved leave arrangements for time spent at sea
• A one-off arrangement allowing eligible personnel to sell back leave

Because the two percentage increases apply one after the other, their combined effect is approximately 8.26%, rather than 8.1%, where the second increase is applied to the already increased salary.

The RMT union has also described the agreement as delivering the equivalent of 13 additional days of leave each year.

Individual payments, arrears and leave entitlements may differ depending on grade, salary, employment dates and the detailed implementation of the settlement.

Royal Fleet Auxiliary Pay Deal Summary

Part of the agreement	Confirmed detail
First pay increase	4.5%
First effective date	1 April 2025
Second pay increase	3.6%
Second effective date	1 April 2026
Approximate compounded increase	8.26%
One-off cash payment	£250
Leave improvements	More time off linked to periods spent at sea
Additional leave figure	Equivalent of 13 extra days annually, according to RMT
Leave buy-back	A one-off arrangement is included
Unions involved	RMT and Nautilus
Government announcement	28 July 2026
Detailed payroll date	Not confirmed in the public announcement

The full announcement can be read in the official Ministry of Defence statement on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary pay rise.

How Does the New Royal Fleet Auxiliary Pay Rise Work?

The settlement covers two separate pay periods.

The 4.5% Rise From April 2025

The first increase is 4.5% and is effective from 1 April 2025. As the agreement was announced in July 2026, this element is retrospective.

That means eligible personnel may be due arrears covering the difference between their previous rate and the revised rate from April 2025.

However, the public announcement does not confirm when arrears will reach employees’ payslips or provide a grade-by-grade payment schedule.

The 3.6% Rise From April 2026

A second increase of 3.6% is effective from 1 April 2026. Where it is applied to pay that has already risen by 4.5%, the combined increase is approximately 8.26%.

The calculation is:

1.045 × 1.036 = 1.08262

This represents a total increase of approximately 8.262% compared with the salary before the April 2025 rise.

How Much Could the RFA Pay Increase Be Worth?

The following examples show how the two percentage increases could affect different annual basic salaries.

These are illustrations only. They assume both increases are applied consecutively to the same basic salary and do not account for allowances, overtime, promotions, pension contributions, tax, National Insurance or other deductions.

Original annual salary	After 4.5% increase	After further 3.6%	Total annual increase
£30,000	£31,350	£32,478.60	£2,478.60
£35,000	£36,575	£37,891.70	£2,891.70
£40,000	£41,800	£43,304.80	£3,304.80
£45,000	£47,025	£48,717.90	£3,717.90
£50,000	£52,250	£54,131	£4,131

For example, an employee whose relevant annual basic salary was £40,000 before the first increase could see that salary rise to £41,800 from April 2025 and then to approximately £43,304.80 from April 2026.

Actual arrears cannot be calculated accurately without knowing the employee’s pay grade, qualifying dates, allowances, previous payments and the implementation instructions issued by the RFA.

Who Is Eligible for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Pay Deal?

The Ministry of Defence announcement states that the agreement applies to Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel and was accepted by RFA seafarers represented by the maritime trade unions. Both RMT and Nautilus confirmed acceptance of the offer.

However, the public statement does not contain a detailed eligibility schedule covering every grade, contract type or employment circumstance.

Serving personnel should therefore check:

• Their official RFA pay communication
• The relevant pay circular or collective agreement
• Their payslip and arrears calculation
• Guidance from their union or payroll contact

Employees who joined or left during the backdated period may have different entitlements. The same may apply to personnel who changed grade, working arrangements or contractual status after 1 April 2025.

What Leave Improvements Are Included?

The agreement is not limited to basic pay. It also changes leave arrangements to recognise the extended periods that RFA personnel can spend at sea.

The Government confirmed that personnel will be able to earn more time off for periods spent at sea.

It also announced a one-off leave buy-back arrangement, under which eligible personnel may be able to receive payment for qualifying leave rather than taking it as time off.

RMT described the settlement as providing the equivalent of 13 additional days of leave per year, alongside consolidated payments.

The exact leave calculation, qualifying service and buy-back process should be checked against the final agreement. The public Government announcement does not set out the full operational rules.

What Is the £250 One-Off Payment?

The package includes a separate one-off payment of £250. This is distinct from the percentage increases to basic pay.

A one-off payment would not normally be treated as a continuing annual salary increase unless the final agreement specifically states that it is consolidated into basic pay.

The Government describes the £250 as a one-off payment, so employees should not assume that it will be repeated in future years.

Its take-home value may also be lower than £250 if normal payroll deductions apply. The public announcement does not provide separate tax or pension treatment for the payment.

Why Was a New RFA Pay Agreement Needed?

The agreement followed a period of disagreement between the RFA, the Government and maritime trade unions over pay and working conditions.

RMT members had previously rejected an earlier 4.5% offer, and industrial action took place during the dispute.

RMT subsequently announced on 15 July 2026 that its members had voted to accept the negotiated settlement, describing it as a combined 8.26% increase with improved leave.

The Government said the final agreement is expected to support recruitment and retention and help the organisation prepare for future operational demands. Pay is only one part of employee retention.

For seafarers who spend lengthy periods away from home, leave arrangements, predictable rotations, working conditions and recognition of time at sea can also influence whether experienced personnel remain in the organisation.

What Does the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Do?

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a civilian-manned fleet owned by the Ministry of Defence. It supports Royal Navy ships around the world by supplying fuel, ammunition, food and other essential provisions.

Although RFA personnel work closely with the Royal Navy and operate in support of defence missions, they are civilian seafarers rather than regular Royal Navy service personnel.

RFA vessels allow Royal Navy and allied ships to remain deployed for longer by replenishing them at sea. The fleet’s responsibilities include logistical support, aviation support, amphibious operations and the delivery of essential stores.

The pay announcement followed a ministerial visit to RFA Tidespring and RFA Mounts Bay at Portland Port.

RFA Tidespring is a Tide-class tanker that supports aircraft carrier operations, while RFA Mounts Bay supports amphibious operations and the movement of Royal Marines and supplies.

Why Does the Pay Deal Matter for Future Defence Operations?

The RFA will have an important role in crewing the next generation of Fleet Solid Support Ships.

These vessels are being developed to provide munitions, stores and provisions to Royal Navy aircraft carriers, frigates and destroyers while they are at sea. The first ship in the class is named RFA Resurgent.

Recruiting and retaining experienced civilian seafarers will therefore be essential. A new ship cannot deliver its intended operational capability without sufficient qualified deck officers, engineers, communications specialists, logisticians and other crew members.

The Government expects the pay and conditions agreement to help put the RFA in a stronger position to meet those future staffing requirements.

What Can UK Employers Learn From the Agreement?

Although the RFA operates in a specialist defence environment, the agreement highlights several broader workforce principles relevant to UK employers.

Pay Is Only Part of the Employment Package

The settlement combines salary increases with additional leave and a leave buy-back option. Employers experiencing retention problems may need to consider the full employee proposition rather than relying solely on headline salary levels.

Working Patterns Affect Retention

For roles involving travel, unsociable hours or extended periods away from home, predictable leave and recovery time may be as important as salary.

Backdated Pay Requires Careful Administration

Employers implementing retrospective increases need accurate payroll records. Calculations may need to account for employees who joined, left, changed hours, received promotions or moved between pay grades during the backdated period.

Final Takeaway

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary pay rise provides two backdated salary increases, improved leave arrangements, a temporary leave buy-back option and a £250 one-off payment.

The confirmed increases are 4.5% from 1 April 2025 and a further 3.6% from 1 April 2026. When compounded, the two rises produce an approximate overall increase of 8.26%.

The settlement represents a substantial change to RFA pay and conditions, but individual employees should wait for their official pay statements or settlement documentation before calculating their exact arrears.

The Government has not yet published a complete grade-by-grade pay table, payroll date or detailed leave implementation schedule in its public announcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Does the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Pay Rise Start?

The first 4.5% increase is effective from 1 April 2025. The second 3.6% increase is effective from 1 April 2026.

Is the RFA Pay Rise Backdated?

Both effective dates fall before the Government’s announcement on 28 July 2026, so the increases are retrospective. The precise timing and value of any arrears will depend on payroll implementation and individual employment records.

How Much Is the Total RFA Pay Increase?

Where the two increases are applied consecutively, the combined effect is approximately 8.26%. RMT also described the settlement as a combined 8.26% increase.

Will RFA Personnel Receive a £250 Payment?

The accepted package includes a £250 one-off payment. The Government has not published a payment date in its announcement.

How Much Additional Leave Will RFA Seafarers Receive?

The Government confirmed that leave arrangements will allow personnel to earn more time off for periods spent at sea. RMT described the improvement as equivalent to 13 additional days a year. Exact entitlements should be checked against the final agreement.

Can RFA Personnel Sell Unused Leave?

The package includes a one-off leave buy-back arrangement. Eligibility, limits and the application process have not been fully explained in the public Government announcement.

Did RMT and Nautilus Accept the Pay Offer?

Yes. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that both RMT and Nautilus had accepted the offer on behalf of RFA seafarers.

Does the Agreement End All RFA Pay Discussions?

Not necessarily. The Government said the unions will continue working with the RFA on further modernisation, including possible increases to leave entitlements and pay arrangements that better reflect the particular nature of RFA service.