ALCOCK CALLS FOR BIG PAY RISE FOR OLDHAM BOROUGH SOLDIERS ON THE POVERTY LINE

11.28.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 13th Oct 2009

Nick Clegg meeting Troops in Afghanistan

Troops fighting in Afghanistan, including the 75 Engineer Regiment (V), which draws recruits from Oldham Borough, should be given a £6,000-a-year pay rise, according to Shadow Liberal Democrat MP for Oldham West & Royton Mark Alcock.

The lowest paid private receives just £16,681 a year, and there are over 51,000 soldiers earning less than the basic pay for equivalent ranks in the police (£22,680) and fire service (£22,038), despite serving on the frontline in Afghanistan.

Mark Alcock and the Liberal Democrats now want to see pay rises worth almost £6,000 a year for the lower ranks, giving them parity with equivalent positions in the police and fire service, and the fair pay deal they deserve.

Commenting, Mark Alcock 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, and give them the fair pay deal they deserve.

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