Soldiers' wages are subject to the basic rules of economics - supply and demand. If they aren't paid enough they will leave. The Army is haemorraging troops and junior leaders in particular. Therefore pay needs to go up.

Z Smith, London, UK

34 Billion is no mean sum, but in percentage terms 2.4% is even lower than the defence spend of the 1930's. The MOD are quick to list the alleged benefits, but fail to state that many servicemen/woman pay extortionate amounts for private life insurance. Disingenuous figures indeed Michael.

Mad Mac, N Wales, UK

Our great servicemen and women deserve to be paid a good wage. Not only for their efforts, but to also encourage the next generation to see the Army as a valuable career.

Chris, Sydney, Australia

The "typical" 18-year old is not responsible and put in charge of a multi-million pound piece of equipment. THEY are not at the helm of a man-of-war. If they work, THEY have a 40 hour week, free weekends, paid overtime, etc. Don't you DARE compare an 18-year old in the military with a civilian.

Bob Evans, Anaheim, California

British servicemen have always been seen as the poor relation as regards to pay and conditions.Being ex service my self we always came at the bottom of the pay scale things don't change.Cut all perks to the MP's and let the people that do the hard graft get the money they earn.All services past &now

Keith, Witney, U.K

There is a very real issue here.

In the Royal Navy the average term of service for 'basic grade' sailors is down to 4 years, from some 11 years 15 years ago.

In the highly technical world of the modern warship it's barely worth training them at all, seeing as they leave as soon as they become fit.

Chris Palmer, Winchester, England

I'm an ex-serviceman. When I joined up I knew exactly how much I was going to be paid and what might be asked of me. I still chose to join and I had the choice of leaving if I didn't like it. I don't think many join the forces because they think it will make them rich!

Pete, Bristol,

The comment from David Craig about defence procurement simply reflects the complete ignorance about our military. The Chinooks are operated by the Royal Air Force not the Army and procurement is largely in the hands of civil servants at the Ministry of Defence. It is nothing to do with Sir Richard.

Angus, Suffolk,

If we had a military threat closer to home, I'm sure money would be pouring in from all directions to provide better pay &equipment without any squabbling over budgets & financial mismanagement!

gerry, merseyside, uk

A single private serving in the Middle East is worth more than a certain MEP who has 'technical' difficulties with his expenses or BBC 'celebrities' who are paid exhorbitant salaries. Sack three-quarters of MPs, Peers and MEPs and sell the BBC and use procceds to assist paying troops a bonus.

Rick, High Wycombe,

If the great soldier could sort out the incompetent fools in charge of defence procurement (e.g £500m wasted on Chinooks), he would have plenty of money to pay his soldiers good salaries. Sir Richard - the problem is your incompetent management, not a lack of money!
David Craig
Author: Squandered

david craig, bournemouth, UK

The costs of the operations in Iraq & Afghanistan are NOT fully paid out of Treasury reserves. That's why ships, aircraft, tanks, guns are being scrapped or sold to pay for ops. The Treasury acts as judge & jury on who pays what & they are not subject to any independent audit thanks to McBroon.

Ron, Newton Abbot, Devon

So let's understand the argument. A solidier on active service is at risk 24/7. Is the same true of a traffic warden? Not in my area. A little verbal occasionally, but I don't see many RPGs or being deployed round here. And would you care to look at the living conditions in Afghanistan too?

Chuck Unsworth, London,

I was a soldier, the son of a soldier. My whole family are/were soldiers.

I left and tripled my wages!

I don't do anywhere NEAR the hours, or work as hard as a soldier!

I'm still pinching myself as life as a civvie is FANTASTIC!!!

Darren, chatham, kent

The MOD may claim military personel earn more with the inclusion of various allowances. However divide this by the total hours they are required to work and it will be below the minimum wage set by the Government. Als Unlike many NHS employees troops recieve no extra pay for working unsociable hours

Paul, Brighton, uk

I had not actually realised that traffic wardens received a salary. I naturally assumed they did the job for the love of making the motorist angry.

C Darken, Nantwich, UK

More money should be spent on defence and less on "social justice".

Paul Marquick, Exeter, United Kingdom

I have been in the Army for 14 years, I know funding for our pay has to come from somewhere, but can someone please explain why a Traffic Warden, Police Constable or Firefighter gets paid more than a Soldier in the first place? We risk everything for the government, yet see very little recompense!

Mark, Telford, Shropshire