To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what financial savings were made to the overall wage bill between 1 April 2001 and 1 April 2002 due to the introduction of Pay 2000 for soldiers, sailors and airmen; and if he will make a statement; [102612](2) what the projected savings are in the period 1 April 2001 to 1 April 2010 in the wage bill due to the introduction of Pay 2000 for soldiers, sailors and airmen; and if he will make a statement. [102610]
There are no actual or projected savings for the period 1 April 2001 to 1 April 2010 in the wage bill of the armed forces as a result of the introduction of Pay 2000 for Service personnel. Pay 2000 was introduced in April 2001 to provide a more responsive pay system for the needs of Service personnel—up to and including one-star level—serving in the 21st century. It was not intended to be a cost saving measure.