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Troops to get council tax rebate Troops to get council tax rebate
(about 3 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. Armed forces personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are to get a council tax rebate under UK government plans.
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 on a six-month tour of duty who pays the tax on a UK property.
It comes after sustained criticism from the head of the Army over the treatment of soldiers. It comes after criticism from the head of the Army over soldiers' treatment. The Ministry of Defence will pay for the tax relief out of its own budget.
The Ministry of Defence will pay for the tax relief out of its budget. The Tories accused PM Gordon Brown of "bouncing" the MoD into providing good headlines for the government.
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 Discrimination claim
The council tax payment has already been dismissed as spin by the Conservatives, who point out that there is no new money. The Conservatives said the move would be "divisive" and accused Mr Brown of pressurising the MoD.
They also say it discriminates between personnel on different operations. "This has all the hallmarks of the MoD being bounced into giving a good headline to Number 10," said shadow defence secretary Liam Fox.
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. He said the measure would discriminate between personnel on different operations, and would put further pressure on the MoD budget because no new money was being made available.
The move has been 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, suggested the attitude of the UK public could also sap the willingness of Britons to serve in the armed forces.
He contrasted the UK's often "dismissive or indifferent" attitude to the achievements of soldiers returning from combat with the support US citizens give to their soldiers.