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17/07/2008
Major Shake-Up For British Troops Benefits
Gravely wounded UK troops are to be offered double the standard level of compensation.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) says that a list of reforms will see British personnel and their families given preferential treatment in health, education, housing and improvements.
The Command Paper has been launched to tackle the growing numbers of British troops who are leaving the forces because of a number of factors including poor pay and accommodation.
The Royal British Legion, the forces charity, demanded that service personnel receive "fitting treatment and recognition" from government and society.
The Legion had submitted a detailed report to the Government's Command Paper review with 38 pages of recommendations covering health care, compensation and support for the bereaved and Armed Forces housing.
The Royal British Legion Director General Chris Simpkins said: "We are willing to work with all parties to see that Parliament upholds its lifelong duty of care to the Services, veterans, and their dependants."
A recent MoD survey said that 47% of personnel had "thought regularly" about leaving the forces.
The MoD says that accommodation for military staff and recruits will receive an extra £200 million.
It is understood the Paper will also address the "military covenant" which is the duty of care between the Government and the Armed Forces.
The health reforms will mean that those serving overseas will not go to the bottom of the NHS waiting list upon return.
It is also reported that disabled veterans will be able to jump the queue for specially adapted homes and priority will be given for dentistry on the NHS.
Compensation is also expected to doubled from the current £285,000 cap for the most seriously injured troops.
It is understood the eight-month review has been designed to take into account the disruption caused by service families who have to move house regularly.
A MoD spokesman said: "It is the first time there has been a co-ordinated, cross-government strategy for delivering better access to key public services and welfare support for our armed forces community".
The MoD has also reported that Whittington Barracks in Lichfield is set to become the home of military medicine from April 2010.
Under Secretary of State for Defence, Derek Twigg, said: "This decision confirms that the West Midlands will be the central focus of the Defence Medical Services. We shall build on the successes of the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine and our existing partnerships with the University Hospital Birmingham Foundation Trust and Birmingham City University."
The decision will bring new jobs to the Midlands over the next few years and also help fulfill the government's plan to move jobs out of London and the South East.
The Defense Secretary Des Browne is expected to unveil The Command Paper today in the Commons.
(DS/NS)
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) says that a list of reforms will see British personnel and their families given preferential treatment in health, education, housing and improvements.
The Command Paper has been launched to tackle the growing numbers of British troops who are leaving the forces because of a number of factors including poor pay and accommodation.
The Royal British Legion, the forces charity, demanded that service personnel receive "fitting treatment and recognition" from government and society.
The Legion had submitted a detailed report to the Government's Command Paper review with 38 pages of recommendations covering health care, compensation and support for the bereaved and Armed Forces housing.
The Royal British Legion Director General Chris Simpkins said: "We are willing to work with all parties to see that Parliament upholds its lifelong duty of care to the Services, veterans, and their dependants."
A recent MoD survey said that 47% of personnel had "thought regularly" about leaving the forces.
The MoD says that accommodation for military staff and recruits will receive an extra £200 million.
It is understood the Paper will also address the "military covenant" which is the duty of care between the Government and the Armed Forces.
The health reforms will mean that those serving overseas will not go to the bottom of the NHS waiting list upon return.
It is also reported that disabled veterans will be able to jump the queue for specially adapted homes and priority will be given for dentistry on the NHS.
Compensation is also expected to doubled from the current £285,000 cap for the most seriously injured troops.
It is understood the eight-month review has been designed to take into account the disruption caused by service families who have to move house regularly.
A MoD spokesman said: "It is the first time there has been a co-ordinated, cross-government strategy for delivering better access to key public services and welfare support for our armed forces community".
The MoD has also reported that Whittington Barracks in Lichfield is set to become the home of military medicine from April 2010.
Under Secretary of State for Defence, Derek Twigg, said: "This decision confirms that the West Midlands will be the central focus of the Defence Medical Services. We shall build on the successes of the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine and our existing partnerships with the University Hospital Birmingham Foundation Trust and Birmingham City University."
The decision will bring new jobs to the Midlands over the next few years and also help fulfill the government's plan to move jobs out of London and the South East.
The Defense Secretary Des Browne is expected to unveil The Command Paper today in the Commons.
(DS/NS)
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