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| Better support for forces on way | Better support for forces on way |
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| Better support for armed forces personnel, veterans and their families is to be announced by the government. | Better support for armed forces personnel, veterans and their families is to be announced by the government. |
| The new strategy, co-ordinated across government departments, is aimed at delivering better access to public services and greater welfare support. | The new strategy, co-ordinated across government departments, is aimed at delivering better access to public services and greater welfare support. |
| Areas such as education, accommodation and NHS treatment will be covered. | Areas such as education, accommodation and NHS treatment will be covered. |
| It follows a Royal British Legion campaign to ensure personnel and their families receive "fitting" recognition from government and society. | It follows a Royal British Legion campaign to ensure personnel and their families receive "fitting" recognition from government and society. |
| The forces charity maintained the Military Covenant - which guarantees soldiers fair treatment in return for forgoing other rights - was not being upheld. | The forces charity maintained the Military Covenant - which guarantees soldiers fair treatment in return for forgoing other rights - was not being upheld. |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne is due to unveil the Command Paper setting out the new strategy to Parliament. | Defence Secretary Des Browne is due to unveil the Command Paper setting out the new strategy to Parliament. |
| Campaign strains | Campaign strains |
| BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt says that with the Army struggling to retain key personnel, such as young captains and experienced senior officers, it has become clear that more needs to be done for serving personnel. | BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt says that with the Army struggling to retain key personnel, such as young captains and experienced senior officers, it has become clear that more needs to be done for serving personnel. |
| Britain's forces have been from serving on two medium-sized operations for longer periods than anticipated in Iraq and Afghanistan. | Britain's forces have been from serving on two medium-sized operations for longer periods than anticipated in Iraq and Afghanistan. |
| A Ministry of Defence survey last week suggested that 47% of the Armed Forces had thought regularly about leaving. | A Ministry of Defence survey last week suggested that 47% of the Armed Forces had thought regularly about leaving. |
| HAVE YOUR SAYThe best support we can give our soldiers is only to call on them in times of need. Any soldier who has seen active service and been involved in a battle should have a lot more from the country than 'greater welfare support'Andy Walker, Mainz, GermanySend us your comments | |
| On Sunday, the Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Jock Stirrup said in a BBC interview that he expected "a firm commitment to deliver" from the government when Defence Secretary Des Browne reveals the Command Paper setting out the new strategy to Parliament. | On Sunday, the Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Jock Stirrup said in a BBC interview that he expected "a firm commitment to deliver" from the government when Defence Secretary Des Browne reveals the Command Paper setting out the new strategy to Parliament. |
| It was reported on Sunday that the paper would include plans to give service personnel free university education after they end their duty with the armed forces. | It was reported on Sunday that the paper would include plans to give service personnel free university education after they end their duty with the armed forces. |
| Personnel who complete six years' service in the Army, Royal Navy or RAF will qualify for the scheme, with the government paying tuition fees to study for GCSEs, A-levels, university degrees or other qualifications. | Personnel who complete six years' service in the Army, Royal Navy or RAF will qualify for the scheme, with the government paying tuition fees to study for GCSEs, A-levels, university degrees or other qualifications. |
| Among the biggest complaints in the recent MoD survey of opinion across the Army, Navy, RAF and Royal Marines, were accommodation and long periods spent away from friends and families. | Among the biggest complaints in the recent MoD survey of opinion across the Army, Navy, RAF and Royal Marines, were accommodation and long periods spent away from friends and families. |
| Some 40% said they were not satisfied with military accommodation, while 55% said they were not satisfied with the maintenance of their accommodation. | Some 40% said they were not satisfied with military accommodation, while 55% said they were not satisfied with the maintenance of their accommodation. |
| The MoD has said it was committed to high-quality military housing, with £8bn being spent in the next 10 years. | The MoD has said it was committed to high-quality military housing, with £8bn being spent in the next 10 years. |