Bath Liberal Democrat MP Don Foster has given his support to plans, announced by Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, to up the wage of the lowest paid troops by £6,000 per year.

The proposals, which would mean that no service personnel in the Army, Navy or RAF would receive less basic annual pay than a new-entrant police constable or development-level fire-fighter, would be funded within the MoD’s existing budget.
Lib Dem Don said,

“Although it is impossible to put a price on the sacrifices made by our service men and women, it is painfully clear that pay levels are a national disgrace. Those who are prepared to die for this country deserve to be treated better.
“It is simply unacceptable that we have reached the point where we hear of some forces families having to rely on handouts. Action is needed to restore the military covenant between the Armed Forces and the British people.
“I am delighted to be able to support Nick Clegg in this campaign.”

The Liberal Democrat plans would include:
o The lowest paid personnel would receive an increase of £6000 – placing them on £22,680 and an equal footing with a development-level firefighter or new-entrant police constable
o Privates and lance corporals would receive an average annual pay increase of over £3000, with the average annual basic pay across these two ranks rising to around £25,000
o Higher NCO ranks would receive an average annual pay increase of around £1,000