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Troops to get council tax rebate Troops to get council tax rebate
(about 5 hours later)
Armed forces personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are to get a council tax rebate under UK government plans. 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 on a six-month tour of duty who pays the tax on a UK property. Soldiers will be given a 25% rebate on the average bill - which works out as £140 for a six-month tour of duty.
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, which has recently been criticised by Army chief Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, will pay for the tax relief out of its own budget.
The Tories accused PM Gordon Brown of "bouncing" the MoD into providing good headlines for the government.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 council tax bill.About 13,000 soldiers will benefit from the tax rebate, which amounts to 25% of the average council tax bill.
The payments will be given only to personnel who pay tax on a UK property - excluding those who live in army accommodation.
'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 scheme begins this October, with soldiers receiving the rebate via their tax-free Operational Allowance.
The first payments are to be made from 1 April, 2008. From that point, all troops will be paid at the end of their operational tour.
HAVE YOUR SAY If they are working offshore they should be completely tax free just like UK civilians! Ian Simpson, Lancaster Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY If they are working offshore they should be completely tax free just like UK civilians! Ian Simpson, Lancaster Send us your comments
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.
Discrimination claimDiscrimination claim
The Conservatives said the move would be "divisive" and accused Mr Brown of pressurising the MoD.The Conservatives said the move would be "divisive" and accused Mr Brown of pressurising the MoD.
"This has all the hallmarks of the MoD being bounced into giving a good headline to Number 10," said shadow defence secretary Liam Fox."This has all the hallmarks of the MoD being bounced into giving a good headline to Number 10," said shadow defence secretary Liam Fox.
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.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.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.
But Crispin Cuss, a former Army officer who has served in Iraq, told the BBC that some service personnel would remain sceptical about the rebate.But Crispin Cuss, a former Army officer who has served in Iraq, told the BBC that some service personnel would remain sceptical about the rebate.
"I think throughout the armed forces, it will be welcomed with a slightly wry smile and a degree of cynicism", he said."I think throughout the armed forces, it will be welcomed with a slightly wry smile and a degree of cynicism", he said.
"I think the people who receive it - and those who aren't receiving it - will see it as an empty political gesture.""I think the people who receive it - and those who aren't receiving it - will see it as an empty political gesture."
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. Last week the head of the Army, Gen 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.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.