Cash bonus for war zone troops

12 April 2012

Every soldier serving in Afghanistan and Iraq will get a cash bonus to wipe out their tax bill.

Defence Secretary Des Browne is set to make the announcement, according to sources at the Ministry of Defence.

The move is designed to put troops on an even footing with their US counterparts, who do not pay tax while in war zones.

Last week it was reported that Prime Minister Tony Blair had ordered a review of the whole support package available to Armed Forces personnel.

And it has already been revealed that all British troops wounded while fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan will receive an extra allowance of £10 per day while they are in hospital overseas.

Existing separation allowances and at-sea bonuses will also be extended to cover personnel who are in hospital.

Other measures announced last week included additional travel expenses for families visiting service personnel in hospital, free delivery of postal parcels over the Christmas period and improved access to broadband internet connections.

An MoD spokesman confirmed that Mr Browne was due to make a statement to the Commons.

Prime Minister Tony Blair, on a visit to a community centre in east London, said it was important to give British troops some "recognition" for the work they are doing. He said: "Our troops are doing very tough and vital work in situations tougher than anyone could imagine. We have got to give some recognition for the work that they are doing."

Chancellor Gordon Brown, delivering a speech on security issues in London, said it was "right" that the armed forces should be "properly rewarded". He said British forces already earned "significantly more than their US counterparts and the majority of international forces".

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