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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Troops to get council tax rebate | Troops to get council tax rebate |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Armed forces personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are to get a council tax rebate under new plans unveiled by the UK government. | |
| The measure will be worth £140 to every soldier who pays the tax on a UK property and is serving a six-month tour of duty. | The measure will be worth £140 to every soldier who pays the tax on a UK property and is serving a six-month tour of duty. |
| It comes after sustained criticism from the head of the Army over the treatment of soldiers. | It comes after sustained criticism from the head of the Army over the treatment of soldiers. |
| The Ministry of Defence will pay for the tax relief out of its budget. | The Ministry of Defence will pay for the tax relief out of its budget. |
| About 13,000 soldiers will benefit from the tax rebate, which amounts to 25% of the average Band D council tax bill. | About 13,000 soldiers will benefit from the tax rebate, which amounts to 25% of the average Band D council tax bill. |
| 'Commitment to families' | 'Commitment to families' |
| The soldiers will receive the rebate via their tax-free Operational Allowance paid at the end of an operational tour, with the first payments to be made from 1 April, 2008. | The soldiers will receive the rebate via their tax-free Operational Allowance paid at the end of an operational tour, with the first payments to be made from 1 April, 2008. |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "It underlines the government's commitment to support our Armed Forces and their families. | Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "It underlines the government's commitment to support our Armed Forces and their families. |
| "We intend to extend this payment to all those deployed overseas on operations next year." | "We intend to extend this payment to all those deployed overseas on operations next year." |
| The tax-free Operational Allowance is worth £2,320 over a six month tour of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan. | The tax-free Operational Allowance is worth £2,320 over a six month tour of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan. |
| Criticism | Criticism |
| The council tax payment has already been dismissed as spin by the Conservatives, who point out that there is no new money. | The council tax payment has already been dismissed as spin by the Conservatives, who point out that there is no new money. |
| They also say it discriminates between personnel on different operations. | They also say it discriminates between personnel on different operations. |
| But the move will be warmly welcomed by some critics who have attacked what they say is the inadequate treatment afforded to soldiers sent to the frontline. | But the move will be warmly welcomed by some critics who have attacked what they say is the inadequate treatment afforded to soldiers sent to the frontline. |
| Poor accommodation has been one area of strong criticism, as has patchy healthcare provision for wounded returning soldiers. | Poor accommodation has been one area of strong criticism, as has patchy healthcare provision for wounded returning soldiers. |
| Last week the head of the Army, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, said Britain should consider the parades that many American soldiers are met with when they arrive home. | Last week the head of the Army, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, said Britain should consider the parades that many American soldiers are met with when they arrive home. |