LibDems back better deal for Britain's armed forces

8.27.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 22nd Sep 2009

Nick Clegg visiting service personnel in Afghanistan. LibDems have now backed plans to give them a better deal.

Liberal Democrats at their annual conference in Bournemouth have backed proposals to boost the pay of Britain's lowest-earning troops by £6,000 per year, improve the condition of forces' housing, and ensure proper medical provision for all personnel.

This follows a campaign for a better deal for our armed forces launched last month by Stuart Bonar, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesman for the new seat of Plymouth Moor View.

Amongst those who have already signed up to the campaign is a serviceman who wrote, "I am a serving soldier and I agree strongly that we should be paid the same as our other forces. I realise that we are paid 24/7 but under £3 an hour is not the standard minimum wage. I am glad that someone like you is having such interest in our soldiers' pay as what we say has no effect, and with no union we are powerless."

The mother of a soldier sent out to Afghanistan this month wrote, "I hope this campaign can make a difference. My son is being deployed to Afghanistan. As you can imagine, I am extremely worried."

Stuart Bonar commented, "Coming not only from a military city but also a military family, I am very pleased that conference backed these plans to honour armed forces and give them a better deal. The men and women in our armed forces are the best of their generation.

"I would urge people to show their support for the plans by signing up at http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/armedforces"

The proposals, which would mean that no service personnel in the Royal Navy, Army, or RAF would receive less basic annual pay than a new-entrant police constable or development-level firefighter, would be funded within the Ministry of Defence's existing budget.

The lowest paid personnel would receive an increase of £6,000, placing them on £22,680. Privates and lance corporals would receive an average annual pay increase of over £3,000, with the average annual basic pay across these two ranks rising to around £25,000. Higher NCO ranks would receive an average annual pay increase of around £1,000.

LibDems also voted for a doubling in the number of forces' family homes refurbished each year. Savings would be made in fighter jet procurement and operational costs and invested in providing helicopters for Afghanistan.

Stuart added, "This isn't just about pay, important though that is. It's about better homes, equipment and medical support."