Totally agree, and then we have to put up with the paranoia over what Clarkson said, it was a joke, was said as a joke, was put over as a joke and we have 24,000 odd complaints no doubt pushed by the damn union involved, Who are no doubt on a Kings ransom, have a job for life guarranteed in their contract and a pension far in excess of any of their members, and to top it off the police are investigating it, get a life, this Country has gone to the dogs and the PC brigade.... I thought we had got away from these strikes years ago and hope they Lose..

Looks like the great and the good have finally decided that they should say something.

Pay deal 'breaks Military Covenant'

Totally agree the Benefits rise is wrong, that sends out the totally wrong signals, but as for as Forces pay rise the Country is still skint........ God I wish I had one over the last few years, but I realise that we have to tighten our belts to survive, I just wish all of those on the public purse thought likewise...... but that said, as with mine, your Military Careers will eventually come to an end and one will then realise the Grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence, well unless you are serving in the Sandpit!

Interesting that during a quick clip from Parliament this morning the point was made that Military pensions were not included in the current pension reforms and negotiations with unions, but that, coupled with Police/Firefighters etc a 'review would take place in due course'.

Here we go...

Politics these days; and especially were finance is concerned, frequently engages the cycle of: Announcement -> Monitor response -> Wait and see if it dies a death -> If not, announce a little more $ nearer to the time and tell the world how wonderfull you are. Rather then announce the same (final fiqure) $ -> enter the same cycle of events and end up settling on a larger sum.

Otherwise put as throwing a stone into the pond and seeing how many ripples reach the edge before commiting to a brick. Lets hope so anyway, for a pay freeze followed by 1%pa is a pay cut in anyones book.

.....and if the Militarys WAGs march on Downing Street as they did in 1978; there are some awfully high profile WAGs these days courtesy of the Afghanistan death toll.