About Pay Review Bodies
Updated 21 July 2023
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Pay Review Bodies are independent advisory non-departmental public bodies who provide evidence-based advice and recommendations to governments across the UK on levels of pay for their respective remit groups.
There are 8 Pay Review Bodies:
- Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body (AFPRB)
- Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB)
- NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB)
- Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB)
- School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB)
- Review Body on Senior Salaries (SSRB)
- National Crime Agency Remuneration Review Body (NCARRB)
- Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB)
In making recommendations, the Pay Review Bodies have regard to their terms of reference. The terms of reference of each Pay Review Body are available on their individual web pages.
Governments are not bound by Pay Review Bodies’ recommendations. It is up to the Prime Minister, relevant Secretaries of State and ministers to decide how to respond to recommendations from Pay Review Bodies.
The below table outlines the coverage of each Pay Review Body by UK nation.
Pay review coverage by nation
| Pay Review Body | Coverage by UK nation |
|---|---|
| AFPRB | UK-wide (not devolved) |
| DDRB | UK-wide |
| NHSPRB | England, Wales and Northern Ireland |
| PSPRB | England, Wales and Northern Ireland |
| STRB | England |
| SSRB | UK-wide |
| NCARRB | UK-wide |
| PRRB | England, Wales and Northern Ireland |
Procedures
Although the review bodies operate independently of each other, their procedures are broadly similar:
- Remit letters from government: government ministers send remit letters to Pay Review Bodies stating the matters on which the government would like their advice.
- Commissioning and receiving evidence: Pay Review Bodies commission written evidence from parties to the process, which is then followed by oral evidence.
- Assessing evidence: the evidence, alongside independently sourced data and research, are assessed and Pay Review Bodies formulate recommendations in line with their terms of reference. They will also prepare a report that explains the recommendations and their rationale.
- Report submission: Once the recommendations have been finalised and the report completed, the report is submitted to government or governments.
- Government response: The governments respond to Pay Review Body recommendations and publish the reports.
The Office for the Pay Review Bodies (OPRB) supports the eight Pay Review Bodies. The OME is part of the Department of Business and Trade (DBT) but is functionally independent and its day-to-day working is not supervised by ministers. Its responsibility is to provide secretariat support to the Pay Review Bodies.
Research
Pay Review Bodies can commission their own research via their OPRB secretariat team.
Visit programmes
Pay Review Bodies also undertake visit programmes, where they meet members of their remit group. They are designed to cover as broad a range as possible of their respective remit groups and to meet certain specific objectives.
In some instances, visits are arranged directly between the OPRB and employing organisations (for example, hospitals). In others, the visit programme for each year is agreed between the OPRB and relevant departments.
Membership
Pay Review Bodies usually have 6 to 8 members, from a range of backgrounds. Chairs and members are appointed through the public appointments process.
Members are appointed for a term of 3 to 5 years. They can be re-appointed for a further term with the approval of the relevant minister. Currently, they may serve for a maximum of two terms on any Pay Review Body.
Appointments and pay
Vacancies
Vacancies are advertised through the Cabinet Office public appointments page. Appointments are made on merit following an open and transparent process.
Current or former members are free to apply for vacancies on other Pay Review Bodies, or to apply to become the chair of their current Review Body.
Assessment
The assessment criteria are set out in individual application packs. In general, they may include:
- senior-level experience in the public or private sector
- intellectual flexibility
- the ability to analyse and interpret detailed information
- independence of thought
- appreciation of public sector reward issues
- high standards of corporate and personal conduct
- team working
There are additional criteria for chairs and economists.
Pay
Chairs are paid £350 per day, and members receive £300 per day. This fee covers days of meetings and Pay Review Body visits.
Conflicts of interest
Members must declare potential conflicts of interest. Depending on the specific (potential) conflict, this could lead to the member absenting themselves from particular discussions, resignation from the Pay Review Body, or no action at all. Such conflicts are drawn where necessary to the attention of the sponsoring department.