Prime Minister David Cameron has announced that the operational allowance for troops serving in Afghanistan is to be doubled, as set out in the Conservative Party's election manifesto.
The increased payments are due to be made in July, and will be backdated to May 6, the date of the general election. The increase will cost the government £58m a year, paid from the core defence budget, and will see daily payments increase from £14.51 to £29.02.
The PM made the announcement during a speech to around 300 service personnel at Camp Bastion, where he also promised to create "a new atmosphere" for the armed forces in Britain, encouraging people to "revere" troops.
"During the first and second world wars and during the Falklands, war, there was real support in our country for the military," he said. "We want to put you front and centre in our national life again. I think it is vital. There is huge respect and support for what the military does. I want that in every single part of our country. I want you to be proud of what you do."
The PM said the coalition government would "rewrite" the military covenant to ensure better treatment of personnel, and the government is reportedly looking at improving accommodation for forces families and increasing funding for state schools in barracks towns.
The Prime Minister experienced some of the dangers of Afghanistan on Thursday when his helicopter had to be diverted following intelligence reports that militants were planning to attack the helicopter of an unnamed VIP.
Regarding the continued British presence in Afghanistan, the PM was unequivocal in saying that the war was to protect the UK's national security interests, not to build a "perfect democracy".
"We are not here to build some perfect model society," he said. "We are here to help the Afghans take control of their security so we can go home.
"I can sum up this mission in two words. It is about national security; our national security back in the UK. Clearing al-Qaida out of Afghanistan, damaging them in Pakistan, making sure this country is safe and secure - it will make us safe and secure back home in the UK. We don't have some dreamy ideas about what this mission is about. It is about that, pure and simple."
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Fuente: www.publicservice.co.uk
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