The Secretary of State for Defence (Dr Liam Fox)
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has announced recently during his visit to Afghanistan the doubling of the operational allowance which we pay to our armed forces engaged in the most demanding areas of conflict. In doing so, we are fulfilling a key commitment to our armed forces in our Programme for Government.
The tax-free operational allowance will increase from £14.51 per day to £29.02 with effect from 6 May 2010. This will mean a typical six-month tour payment increasing from £2,640 to £5,281. Payment is in the form of a single lump sum paid on completion of operational service.