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| MoD seeks to cut soldiers' payout | MoD seeks to cut soldiers' payout |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The Ministry of Defence will go to the Court of Appeal later to try to significantly reduce the compensation awarded to two injured soldiers. | The Ministry of Defence will go to the Court of Appeal later to try to significantly reduce the compensation awarded to two injured soldiers. |
| One, who was shot in the leg in Iraq, received £46,000, while the other, injured in training, got £28,750. | One, who was shot in the leg in Iraq, received £46,000, while the other, injured in training, got £28,750. |
| Both had their payouts increased due to complications, but the MoD is arguing that they should only be compensated for their "original injuries". | Both had their payouts increased due to complications, but the MoD is arguing that they should only be compensated for their "original injuries". |
| The stance has attracted criticism amid mounting casualties in Afghanistan. | The stance has attracted criticism amid mounting casualties in Afghanistan. |
| The court appeal comes after two more soldiers were killed in Helmand province, bringing the total number of UK fatalities since operations began in Afghanistan in 2001 to 191. | The court appeal comes after two more soldiers were killed in Helmand province, bringing the total number of UK fatalities since operations began in Afghanistan in 2001 to 191. |
| Military officials said on Monday that the first phase of a major offensive - Operation Panther's Claw - had been completed in Helmand. | Military officials said on Monday that the first phase of a major offensive - Operation Panther's Claw - had been completed in Helmand. |
| 'Key principle' | 'Key principle' |
| The injured soldiers were initially awarded £9,250 and £8,250 respectively, but they appealed to a tribunal to have those sums increased. | The injured soldiers were initially awarded £9,250 and £8,250 respectively, but they appealed to a tribunal to have those sums increased. |
| Both men argued they had suffered a number of subsequent health problems during their treatment and that these should not be regarded as separate from their original injuries. | Both men argued they had suffered a number of subsequent health problems during their treatment and that these should not be regarded as separate from their original injuries. |
| Three judges agreed with them and increased their compensation, but the MoD is now seeking to overturn that ruling. | Three judges agreed with them and increased their compensation, but the MoD is now seeking to overturn that ruling. |
| Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson was severely hurt in Afghanistan | Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson was severely hurt in Afghanistan |
| It claims it is trying "to clarify an earlier judgment about how the armed forces compensation scheme is administered, and to protect the key principle of the scheme: the most compensation for the most seriously injured". | It claims it is trying "to clarify an earlier judgment about how the armed forces compensation scheme is administered, and to protect the key principle of the scheme: the most compensation for the most seriously injured". |
| A review of the compensation scheme is currently being carried out by the MoD following a number of appeals from, or on behalf of, former servicemen. | |
| One of the most high-profile came from the mother of Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, who lost both legs and suffered severe brain damage in Afghanistan. | |
| Initially he received just £152,000, but following widespread criticism that was increased. | |
| The MoD points out that it has doubled the maximum lump sum payment to £570,000 for the most severely injured soldiers, in addition to an index-linked monthly income for life. | The MoD points out that it has doubled the maximum lump sum payment to £570,000 for the most severely injured soldiers, in addition to an index-linked monthly income for life. |
| But the BBC's defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt says that, with more badly-injured soldiers surviving than ever before thanks to improved medical treatment, the Court of Appeal's decision could have wider implications. | |
| Last week, former prime minister Sir John Major said the current system of armed forces compensation "does not adequately address lifelong disability and, particularly, disabling mental conditions". | Last week, former prime minister Sir John Major said the current system of armed forces compensation "does not adequately address lifelong disability and, particularly, disabling mental conditions". |
| Should soldiers only be compensated for their "original injuries"? Are you a soldier? Have you been awarded compensation for your injuries? Send us your comments by filling in the form below. | Should soldiers only be compensated for their "original injuries"? Are you a soldier? Have you been awarded compensation for your injuries? Send us your comments by filling in the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |