Hinckley and Bosworth Lib Dems call for big pay rise for servicemen and women on the poverty line

2.59.14pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 4th Sep 2009

Local Lib Dems are calling on the government to provide big pay rises to military personnel many of whom are risking their lives on the Afghanistan frontline

Michael Mullaney Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Hinckley and Bosworth, has called for the Government to award big pay rises to military personnel many of whom are risking their lives on the Afghanistan frontline.

He is backing new Liberal Democrat policy to give the worst paid servicemen and women, who earn less than trainee police officers and firefighters, pay rises worth almost £6,000 a year.

Michael Mullaney said: "Every day young men and women are putting their lives on the line, fighting in terrible conditions in Afghanistan.

"What is their reward from this Labour Government? Shockingly poor pay that leaves them on the poverty line and their families back at home hungry.

"The Liberal Democrats will put a stop to this straight away. We will raise the pay of the lowest paid troops by an extra £6,000 a year. The average basic pay across the ranks of private and lance corporal would rise to around £25,000.

"We need to stop short-changing our troops."