WEIR SUPPORTS FAIR MILITARY PAY & NEW TREATMENT WARD FOR INJURED PERSONNEL

Angus MP, Mike Weir, has welcomed welcomed new tax breaks for military service personnel.  Speaking following a statement in the House of Commons, Mr Weir said the move was “long overdue” and backed calls for an urgent review of Council Tax liability from his SNP colleague, Moray MP, Angus Robertson.

Mr Weir, who represents the base at Condor on the outskirts of Arbroath, believes that more needs to be done on the whole issue of pay, tax liability and conditions of service:

“This tax break for the military is to be welcomed and highlights the need to end a whole series of unfair anomalies.  Pay and conditions need to be sorted out as a matter of basic fairness and because they are essential to the morale of our armed forces.  As a next step there should be a review of Council Tax liability for service personnel who are stationed abroad.”

Mr Weir, who had been approached by the family of a local serviceman over the treatment he received, also gave a cautious welcome to the announcement that a special military hospital ward is to be set up at Selly Oak hospital for the treatment of military casualties:

“The families of those injured in conflicts have been pressing for some time for more appreciation of those injured and better treatment.  Whatever we think of the wars we must all acknowledge that those who are injured should receive the best possible treatment.

“I am pleased that the UK Government has admitted that there were difficulties in the previous arrangement for injured service personnel and is taking action to address the families concerns.”