Soldiers in Scotland have welcomed the package of reforms aimed at improving the quality of life for Armed Forces personnel and veterans.

Major Andrew Ward, 38, second in command of 3 Rifles, based at Redford Barracks in Edinburgh, said: “Rifleman Ben Shaw was severely injured in a roadside bomb attack and lost both his eyes.

“That really highlighted to us the need for compensation, and access to facilities as well.

“He's now in the process of leaving the Army and we've certainly seen how important it is to have the right financial compensation, but also access to welfare facilities, and the support from the local community.”

Major Ward said that the doubling of the compensation deal for the most seriously injured soldiers was “really good news”.

He said that the maximum sum of £570,000, in addition to an annual income, could mean that an injured soldier's payout over a lifetime could reach £1.5million.

He also welcomed moves to ensure that children have more continuity in their education.

The Scottish Government said that it would work to ensure a high level of continuity in schooling for those children, and in England, the Department for Children, Schools and Families is seeking families' views on improving admissions.

Major Ward said that his battalion had been in Wiltshire and Cyprus, as well as Edinburgh, since 2002. Those moves had affected around half of the soldiers currently serving in the unit. He said: “I think the continuity of education is a key factor.

“Constantly moving around every two or three years, I think everyone would recognise that's not good for a child's education.”

He added that giving troops help with housing when they leave the forces would be “hugely welcomed”. He said: “Getting decent accommodation is something that matters a lot to them because, clearly, they don't have huge reserves of cash which they can throw at the property market.”

Sergeant Major John Potten, 40, said that he was “really positive” about much of what was announced, but cautioned that it remained to be seen whether all the measures would be implemented successfully.

The married father of two, who is due to leave the Army next year, welcomed the chance to do a university course after he leaves, without having to pay for it.

Sergeant Major Potten, who is originally from Somerset, said that he had had problems when trying to get his children into a school of his choice.

He welcomed any improvements in access to schools but cautioned that it was important not to disadvantage local people also trying to get places.

He said: “I'm fascinated by some of the ideas. They've done a lot of research into what people are feeling and captured most of it.

“I think if they can carry out their promises it's going to be fantastic.

“We just need to sit back and see how they do it now because that's going to be the hard thing. I don't think it can happen overnight because it's drastic changes they're talking about.”

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