Compensation payments for troops who sustain serious injuries on active service have been doubled from £285,000 to £570,000.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) today announced that all injured personnel who received an award under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme would receive an increase of between ten and 100 per cent to their tax-free lump sum payment.

The 140 most seriously injured troops have been written to by ministers with details of their increased compensation payments and the government claims they will receive the additional money over the next few days.

The MoD claims that in total more than £10 million in additional compensation will be paid to approximately 2,700 injured servicemen and women.

Under secretary of state for defence, Kevan Jones, said in today's statement: "Our armed forces are inspirational and they deserve the very best support - that is why I am determined to see through the package of measures we announced in the service personnel command paper.

"This increase in our compensation package will be a great boost to our injured personnel and their families."

Chris Simpkins, director general of the Royal British Legion, welcomed the announcement and said it was particularly good news coming just before Christmas and would be a "welcome boost" for all those who have injured.


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