Councillor calls for big pay rise for servicemen and women on the poverty line

Spotland and Falinge Councillor Peter Clegg is calling on the Government to award big pay rises to military personnel, many of whom are risking their lives on the Afghanistan frontline.

Councillor Clegg is backing calls to give the worst paid servicemen and women, who earn less than trainee police officers and fire-fighters, pay rises worth almost £6,000 a year.

Under Liberal Democrat proposals a fully trained private would receive an average basic hourly wage of £9.44 (up from the current £6.74 an hour), amounting to £430 a week, a pay rise of £115.

Councillor Peter Clegg said: "Every day young men and women are putting their lives on the line, fighting in terrible conditions in Afghanistan. But what is their reward from the Government? Shockingly poor pay that leaves them on the poverty line and their families back at home hungry. Last week I even read the story of a Royal Marine hero who'd been forced to sell his medals to buy a home for his family. This is just not right. Our troops deserve a better deal and a government that is willing to stand up for them!"

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen said: "You can not put a price on the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces, but you can give them a better deal and it's about time this government did. Too many of our brave soldiers are putting their lives on the line serving our country with inadequate pay and equipment. The recent victory over allowing retired Gurkha soldiers to stay in Britain shows the Government can be beaten - but we need to get action to help our troops now."