Army boss hails compensation rise

The head of the Army has welcomed the news that the maximum level of compensation payable to injured soldiers is to be doubled as "a very good start". General Sir Richard Dannatt said he welcomed all the measures in the Government's Command Paper, which include letting some soldiers jump NHS waiting lists and have their university tuition fees waived, but said he would like to see the balance of risk and reward brought even further "back into kilter".

The mother of Ben Parkinson, who was injured 37 times yet received only £152,000 in compensation, said she welcomed the increase as "peace of mind" for her son and the rest of her family. Diane Dernie said: "This is security, not just for now, this is for when we can't look after him and for the future."