This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22520249

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Longer Afghanistan tours for British soldiers Longer Afghanistan tours for British soldiers
(34 minutes later)
Thousands of British troops will start serving longer tours in Afghanistan from October, the defence secretary has announced.Thousands of British troops will start serving longer tours in Afghanistan from October, the defence secretary has announced.
Soldiers deployed this autumn will serve up to eight months instead of the usual six, Philip Hammond told MPs.Soldiers deployed this autumn will serve up to eight months instead of the usual six, Philip Hammond told MPs.
He said those deployed next year could serve for as long as nine months.He said those deployed next year could serve for as long as nine months.
Up to 3,700 personnel could be affected by the move, which means troops will remain in Afghanistan into 2015 - after combat operations are expected to end.Up to 3,700 personnel could be affected by the move, which means troops will remain in Afghanistan into 2015 - after combat operations are expected to end.
This is in order to finish returning valuable equipment to the UK after the end of operations, which MPs predict could cost up to £2bn.This is in order to finish returning valuable equipment to the UK after the end of operations, which MPs predict could cost up to £2bn.
Strategically important 'No policy change'
Mr Hammond told the Commons the Ministry of Defence had been looking at how best to "deploy declining numbers of troops".Mr Hammond told the Commons the Ministry of Defence had been looking at how best to "deploy declining numbers of troops".
He said service personnel serving more than seven-and-a-half months would be paid an extra allowance of £50 a day.He said service personnel serving more than seven-and-a-half months would be paid an extra allowance of £50 a day.
But the announcement would not affect future troop deployments and was "emphatically not a shift in policy".But the announcement would not affect future troop deployments and was "emphatically not a shift in policy".
Most international troops are scheduled to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014.Most international troops are scheduled to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
There are still questions over how many foreign soldiers will remain after the 2014 deadline, with an acceptance that some special forces will stay to conduct "counter-terror operations" and others to support and train Afghan forces.There are still questions over how many foreign soldiers will remain after the 2014 deadline, with an acceptance that some special forces will stay to conduct "counter-terror operations" and others to support and train Afghan forces.
Nato is in the process of handing over security control, and some strategically important areas have already been transferred to Afghan forces.Nato is in the process of handing over security control, and some strategically important areas have already been transferred to Afghan forces.
The UK - the second largest contributor to Nato's Afghanistan operation - has about 9,000 troops in Afghanistan.The UK - the second largest contributor to Nato's Afghanistan operation - has about 9,000 troops in Afghanistan.
The Defence Secretary said it was not possible to be precise about the number of British troops who would be affected by Tuesday's announcement. 'Heart sank'
But "current estimates suggest between 2,200 and 3,700 overall may deploy more than six and a half months", he said. The defence secretary said it was not possible to be precise about the number of British troops who would be affected by Tuesday's announcement.
Some 4,000 more will be brought home by this summer with the remainder leaving before 2015. But "current estimates suggest between 2,200 and 3,700 overall may deploy more than six-and-a-half months", he said.
Some 4,000 more will be brought home by this summer, with the remainder leaving before 2015.
The mother of one soldier who has been told to expect an eight- or nine-month tour said it would make life much harder for those serving and their families.
"He loves his job, but he's not happy about the length of time," said Jacqui, whose son was told about the extended deployment a month ago.
"When my son told me he was going on a longer tour my heart sank... It's so hard trying to remain positive and strong as it is without increasing the length they will be away."
British forces have been mainly based in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan after operations began in 2001.British forces have been mainly based in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan after operations began in 2001.