Armed forces 'to get free education'

(BBC 13 July) Service personnel are to be given university education free of charge after they end their duty with the armed forces, it has been reported.

According to the News of the World, personnel who complete six years service in the Army, Royal Navy or RAF will qualify for the scheme.

The government will pay tuition fees to study for GCSEs, A-levels, university degrees or other qualifications.

The measure is thought to be in Thursday's Armed Forces Command Paper.

This document will deal with a whole range of welfare issues affecting soldiers, sailors and airmen.

Ian Kirby, assistant political editor for the News of the World, said the scheme was a method to help those who left the armed forces get back into civilian life, and could save people up to £9,000.

He BBC Radio Five Live: "My Ministry of Defence sources say this is a no-strings-attached deal. Basically, the bill for the tuition fees will go straight to the government."

Currently those serving in the armed forces can have tuition fees fully or partially paid for certain courses, but the incentives are based around retaining personnel. This new package can be taken even after they have left the service.

Mr Kirby also said if a service member who qualifies for the scheme is killed, then the credit for having free tuition will pass to their spouse.

A recent Ministry of Defence survey of 9,000 servicemen and women suggested that some 47% of Army and Royal Navy respondents and 44% of those in the RAF regularly felt like quitting.

Among the concerns raised by those surveyed were the frequency of tours, levels of pay and the quality of equipment and housing. BBC News 13 July: Armed forces 'get free education'

News of the World, 13 July

(NoW news release)

TROOPS TO GET FREE UNI PLACES

TENS of thousands of soldiers, sailors and airmen are to be given free places at university and college, the News of the World can exclusively reveal.

Every member of the armed forces who has completed six years’ service will have their tuition fees paid for by the government.

The fees - which can add an average of £9,000 to the cost of a three year university degree, will be paid regardless of whether they stay in the Services or not.

People who do not have degrees will also get college courses for GCSEs, A levels or other skills courses paid.

A Ministry of Defence source said: “We are fighting two major wars and we need to reward people for their service. This has got no strings attached.”

The scheme is designed to help people leaving the military, although serving soldiers will be able to use the scheme to fund part-time degrees.

The free offer will also be transferrable to the spouses of veteran soldiers killed in action, enabling them to get free study as they try to rebuild their lives.

Defence Secretary Des Browne will make an announcement to Parliament unveiling the Armed Forces Command Paper on Thursday.