Troops' allowance is doubled

The tax-free operational allowance paid to British troops serving in Afghanistan is to be doubled from £14.51 a day to £29.02. The Prime Minister announced the move, which will cost £58m, while visiting frontline troops in Helmand.

The operational allowance currently stands at £2,380 for a six-month tour. The increase will come into effect from next month and be backdated to 6 May.

David Cameron said he also wanted to address armed forces' housing, schools and welfare, and to "rewrite the military covenant" – the pact of support between Britain and its armed forces – and put troops "front and centre of our national life again".