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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. |
| 'Key principle' | 'Key principle' |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| They don't understand how people feel about our troops, says Diane Dernie | They don't understand how people feel about our troops, says Diane Dernie |
| 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. |
| 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". |
| Simon Weston, who suffered horrific burns in the Falklands conflict, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the compensation system was "incredibly flawed". | Simon Weston, who suffered horrific burns in the Falklands conflict, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the compensation system was "incredibly flawed". |
| A lot of service personnel with the worst injuries "will never work again or will always have problems", he said. | A lot of service personnel with the worst injuries "will never work again or will always have problems", he said. |
| "What we need to understand is that this large sum of money is not so they can go on jollies and go on holidays and buy nice flash cars. | "What we need to understand is that this large sum of money is not so they can go on jollies and go on holidays and buy nice flash cars. |
| "This means that they're buying a home, they will be subsidising their own care because they won't be given a huge amount by the state. | "This means that they're buying a home, they will be subsidising their own care because they won't be given a huge amount by the state. |
| The government is obliged to test the principles to get absolute clarity on what appropriate levels of payment should be made Eric Joyce, MP for Falkirk | The government is obliged to test the principles to get absolute clarity on what appropriate levels of payment should be made Eric Joyce, MP for Falkirk |
| "These guys are using that money to live not to exist. It seems petty to be revising the small amount of money." | "These guys are using that money to live not to exist. It seems petty to be revising the small amount of money." |
| Eric Joyce, the Labour MP for Falkirk who served in the Army, said the appeal would clarify rules on compensation. | Eric Joyce, the Labour MP for Falkirk who served in the Army, said the appeal would clarify rules on compensation. |
| "The important thing from the Ministry of Defence's point of view, and indeed the Treasury's, is that you get absolute clarity on what these awards ought to be," he said. | "The important thing from the Ministry of Defence's point of view, and indeed the Treasury's, is that you get absolute clarity on what these awards ought to be," he said. |
| "These things have to be done - it has to be taken through the full legal process." | "These things have to be done - it has to be taken through the full legal process." |
| 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. | 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 Diane Dernie, 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. | 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. |
| 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 |