Gordon Brown today responded to criticisms of low pay for soldiers by promising his Government would do "everything in our power" to recognise the contribution made by Britain's Armed Forces.

The Prime Minister spoke after General Sir Richard Dannatt, the head of the British Army, made an unprecedented call for an above-inflation pay rise for troops.

General Dannatt, the Chief of the General Staff, said that servicemen and women were risking their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan while being paid less than traffic wardens.

Recent research for the Ministry of Defence has shown that some soldiers, whose starting salary is about £12,500, are so hard-up they cannot afford to eat properly.

Responding to the General's comments, Mr Brown said that a White Paper would soon be published setting out the help available to troops in accommodation, health care and education.

He said that the 9 per cent pay rise granted to the most junior ranks last year was an indication of the Government’s desire to ensure they were properly rewarded.

He stopped short however of making a specific commitment to raising pay further.

Mr Brown said: "I recognise the huge contribution that our armed forces make to the security of the country and we will continue to try to reward our armed forces for the dedication and commitment they show, often in very difficult theatres of war.

"We will do everything in our power in the years to come to recognise the great individual contribution that is made by all the members of the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force."

Mr Brown pointed out what the Government had already done for the armed services, listing above-inflation pay awards for the last two years, a tax-free allowance of about £2,300 for those on active service, and the fact that soldiers had had their council tax reduced or removed while serving on the front line.

He said: "For the lowest, most junior grade in the last year, the rise was 9 per cent and that is an indication of how we wish to help the people in our armed forces.

"In the next few weeks we will be publishing a White Paper which shows the range of services, including help with accommodation, help with medical services and help with education, that we are providing to the armed forces."

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