What a comparison

Over the last few months it has become clear again how little our armed forces are valued.

A civil servant in the MOD, who suffered back strain after lifting a printer, has been awarded just over £200,000 , admittedly not as much as the typist who received double that from repetitive strain injury through typing.

But listen to Phil Cooper, whose son Jamie lost an arm and a leg from a mortar bomb attack in 2006, and who received just £57,587 in compensation. Phil commenting on his 18 year old son's dreadful injuries, pointed out that the situation is bordering on the comical when men can risk life and limb for their country in war and then suffer dreadful injuries, but who then receive far less than a civil servant does in straining his back through lifting a printer.

Speak to the army chiefs and they clearly feel it too. Speak to the MOD and they will take the usual way out, "It's all laid down, it's objective". They are thinking of soldier's injuries, of course.

So why are not things laid down for civil servants as well. How much would you estimate as compensation for a strained back, £20,000 at most? Certainly nothing like £200,000. Or should military compensations go through the same tribunals as typists and computer lifters?

At this rate we run the risk of having no army worth the name!