Grants plan for war dead's children

George Osborne announces university scholarships proposal for children of war dead
12 April 2012

The children of British service personnel killed in action would be offered university scholarships under the Tories, shadow chancellor George Osborne has promised.

The £8,210 grant would cover their tuition fees and provide £5,000 a year towards maintenance costs, he told the News of the World.

There would also be a further education scholarship to cover college fees and other costs when they are not covered by other entitlements.

The move comes amid public anger about the casualty rate in Afghanistan after 2009 became the bloodiest year for British forces since the 1982 Falklands conflict - 108 UK service personnel died last year.

But the support would be made available to the children of all of the 588 men and women killed in service since 1990, in Iraq, the Gulf, Sierra Leone, the Balkans, Northern Ireland and Cambodia, as well as Afghanistan.

The announcement came after the shadow chancellor visited British troops in Afghanistan this week.

"I've just visited our brave men and women serving in Afghanistan, and witnessed their commitment and determination at first hand," Mr Osborne said.

"That's why I'm so determined to provide more help for the families of military personnel who have lost their lives serving our country. These university and college scholarships will provide financial help for the families of fallen servicemen and women - and will be a lasting tribute to their bravery and sacrifice."

The move, costing an estimated £1.5 million a year, would be introduced on the first day of a Tory administration, Mr Osborne said. The money will come from the Higher Education Funding Council's £455 million Widening Participation budget.

Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said: "This is a clear sign of our commitment to the military covenant. Our duty of care extends not only to those serving in our Armed Forces but to their dependants. For those fighting for our security, they have a right to know that if the worst happens their families will be properly cared for."

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