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Pay hope for injured UK soldiers | Pay hope for injured UK soldiers |
(about 8 hours later) | |
British troops who are injured in service could be in line for much greater compensation pay-outs, a senior army officer has said. | British troops who are injured in service could be in line for much greater compensation pay-outs, a senior army officer has said. |
The commander-in-chief of land forces, Gen Sir David Richards, said there was a belief more needed to be done. | |
He told the Sunday Telegraph ministers "share the view that the compensation package is not quite right". | He told the Sunday Telegraph ministers "share the view that the compensation package is not quite right". |
It comes amid concern at the levels of compensation paid to service personnel who have sustained severe injuries. | It comes amid concern at the levels of compensation paid to service personnel who have sustained severe injuries. |
'Under review' | |
In the interview, Sir David added: "I can reassure you that there is an acceptance in the Ministry of Defence, not just in the military, that this whole area needs re-examination." | In the interview, Sir David added: "I can reassure you that there is an acceptance in the Ministry of Defence, not just in the military, that this whole area needs re-examination." |
However, he said the system "can't be changed overnight". | However, he said the system "can't be changed overnight". |
But the Ministry of Defence said its position had not changed. | But the Ministry of Defence said its position had not changed. |
This is unfinished business Nick HarveyLiberal Democrat defence spokesman | |
Defence Secretary Des Browne said the government had a duty to look after injured soldiers. | Defence Secretary Des Browne said the government had a duty to look after injured soldiers. |
In a statement he said the more seriously injured received a tax-free lump sum plus monthly tax-free and index-linked payments for life. | In a statement he said the more seriously injured received a tax-free lump sum plus monthly tax-free and index-linked payments for life. |
"Over a lifetime this can amount to many hundreds of thousands of pounds. | "Over a lifetime this can amount to many hundreds of thousands of pounds. |
"We have kept the system under review - and will continue to keep it under review," he said. | "We have kept the system under review - and will continue to keep it under review," he said. |
"I want to reassure the families of our brave injured service personnel that we will continue to honour the sacrifice that they have made." | "I want to reassure the families of our brave injured service personnel that we will continue to honour the sacrifice that they have made." |
Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Nick Harvey said it would be "very welcome" if the MoD were to look further at the issue. | |
"The contrast between payouts to our seriously injured soldiers and that recently made to an Iraqi civilian leave the public feeling that this is unfinished business," Mr Harvey added. | |
"Although ministers argue that injured troops receive an ongoing war pension, this does not provide enough money up front to cover the cost of adapting to life after debilitating injury." |
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