Lets call their bluff
Using the figures provided by Jack Ryan, everyone gets benefits that cost the MOD approx £9700 per year. The answer is, stop all the benefits, no more pensions, no more gyms, no more op allowances, no more subsidised accommodation and food and give everyone in the armed forces regardless of rank a pay rise of £9700 per year. This is totally affordable as it is self financing.
If the MOD figures are correct, this would SAVE the Government money, because they would reap 20% (or 40%) tax plus National insurance on the extra pay, they would not have to maintain MQs (or whatever they are called this week), there would be no need to supply food (other than on Ops) and the savings on pensions to the Defence budget would be huge.
Individuals would be up to £6000 per year net better off. Adding those accommodation and food costs already incurred, you could rent a reasonable place, get good dental care a gym membership and a higher quality of life with the extra income.
Will it happen? I have more chance of a threesome with Keira Knightley and Julia Roberts!
Such a suggestion (the extra money not my threesome), would expose the hypocrisy of this bankrupt (morally) government, and would rubbish they claims that the armed forces cost them such huge amounts of money.
Shadwell