David Cameron has proposed changes to boost the amount of family leave British troops fighting overseas have.
David Cameron has proposed changes to boost the amount of family leave British troops fighting overseas have.
The Conservative leader, visiting Afghanistan, said rest periods should start when troops arrive home - so it does not include days spent travelling.
The Conservative leader, visiting Afghanistan, said rest periods should start when troops arrive home - so it does not include days spent travelling.
Speaking in Helmand province, he said: "I think this is fair for our troops."
Speaking in Helmand province, he said: "I think this is fair for our troops."
During his third visit to the country as Tory leader Mr Cameron also said Afghanistan had seen "progress" and was the number one foreign policy priority.
During his third visit to the country as Tory leader Mr Cameron also said Afghanistan had seen "progress" and was the number one foreign policy priority.
He said there were still concerns such as a shortage of helicopters and the unwillingness of some Nato countries to play their full part.
He said there were still concerns such as a shortage of helicopters and the unwillingness of some Nato countries to play their full part.
The issue of "lost leave" was raised by the Conservative Party's commission chaired by author Frederick Forsyth earlier this year.
The issue of "lost leave" was raised by the Conservative Party's commission chaired by author Frederick Forsyth earlier this year.
Mr Cameron, accompanied by shadow foreign secretary William Hague, has now accepted their recommendation.
Mr Cameron, accompanied by shadow foreign secretary William Hague, has now accepted their recommendation.
He said: "Today when our servicemen and women end their duties in the heat and dust of Afghanistan or Iraq, their leave starts not when they arrive home but often after several days delay in trying to get home.
He said: "Today when our servicemen and women end their duties in the heat and dust of Afghanistan or Iraq, their leave starts not when they arrive home but often after several days delay in trying to get home.
"Under our plans, the leave clock would not start ticking until they arrive back on British soil. This is a common sense idea that will make a big difference to the lives of our brave troops and their families."
"Under our plans, the leave clock would not start ticking until they arrive back on British soil. This is a common sense idea that will make a big difference to the lives of our brave troops and their families."
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