IoS campaign: Honour our troops

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A major campaign backed by servicemen and women, their families, senior military figures, politicians from all parties and armed forces associations is launched today to press the Government to honour its obligations to the British personnel risking their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Independent on Sunday campaign calls on the nation to honour the Military Covenant, which stipulates that in return for putting their lives on the line, British troops, airmen and sailors should be given adequate equipment to do their jobs, the best treatment possible if wounded and the assurance that their families will be looked after if they die in their country's service.

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The Government faces unprecedented criticism of its handling of the war and treatment of troops. The death toll stands at 168 British troops in Iraq, and 74 in Afghanistan. New figures obtained by the IoS show the total number of casualties airlifted out of both countries now stands at 1,741, with field hospital admissions at 2,942.

Several families have instructed lawyers to mount a class action over the continued use of "soft target" Snatch Land Rovers, which are considered vulnerable to roadside bombs because they have no armour. About 20 troops have died in this way. Tomorrow, they will demand a meeting with Des Browne, Defence Secretary.

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article2919628.ece