Fair pay for our forces

9.31.07pm GMT Fri 5th Feb 2010

Before joining his Squadron in the Royal Logistics Corps for six months in Afghanistan, local TA Sergeant Nick Foster spoke to prospective MP Tessa Munt about the Lib Dem proposals for fair pay for soldiers.

Nick joined the TA 18 years ago after serving in the Royal Signals. He has taken leave from his other job as a local Sorting Office Manager, taking a pay cut whilst in Afghanistan, and fully supports Tessa's campaign for higher wages for our soldiers, sailors and airmen.

Nick said: "The Armed Forces should be rewarded fairly for what they do.

Fairness is important - it's all part of the 'military covenant' between our forces and the people."

Tessa said: "More than 51,000 people - over a quarter of the Armed Forces - earn less than a new police recruit or a trainee fire-fighter."

"Police recruits start on £10.90 an hour; trainee firefighters earn £9.56 an hour, and rightly so. I was appalled to find the average hourly pay for an Army Private is £6.74."

"You can't put a price on the sacrifices our forces make: the tough service lifestyle, unique working conditions and putting their lives at risk for Queen and country. But we must treat them fairly compared with the emergency services here at home."

Nick agreed, saying: Basic pay across all the services should be equalised.

When Nick Clegg says 'you can't reward lions with peanuts', he makes a good point."