Troops to have compensation doubled

The compensation payments awarded to British troops seriously injured in military operations is to double.

As part of a package of new measures, soldiers will become eligible for payouts of as much as £570,000, as opposed to the current limit of £285,000.

Meanwhile, those who have sustained less severe injuries will qualify for smaller rises.

The Service Personnel Command Paper, which was commissioned by Gordon Brown in November last year, also includes a provision for injured veterans to receive free bus travel.

Commenting on the developments, secretary of state for defence Des Browne said: "I think this Command Paper presents a package of measures that will make a real difference to the everyday lives of our forces and their families."

He went on to say that, as well as ensuring a significant increase in the amount of compensation they receive, it will improve their access to public services.

However, the legal representatives of Lance-Bombardier Ben Parkinson, the most severely injured British soldier ever to survive after a landmine explosion, said the package does not go far enough.

18/07/2008 14:57