The cost of Financial Retention Initiatives (additions to basic pay for groups or trades with particular shortages) and Commitment Bonuses (cash payments at particular times throughout the career progression of personnel to encourage a continuance of service) is shown in the following table.
Financial year £ million 2002-03 44.3 2003-04 63.7 2004-05 73.9 2005-06 58.2 2006-07 74.1
Many disparate activities within the Services could be considered as measures to improve retention, from the improvement of accommodation to the implementation of welfare lines or services. Information about these activities could be provided only at disproportionate cost.