Nigel Evans MP, Member of Parliament for the Ribble Valley, today urged Defence Minister Bill Rammell MP to give financial advice to soldiers who receive large compensation payments.

 Speaking at questions to the Secretary of State for Defence, Mr Evans said:

 “I recently spoke with an injured serviceman who said that one of the main concerns that he and his colleagues had was that too many of their injured colleagues were given no financial advice whatsoever when they received their compensation packages. More often than not, this is in the form of one lump sum payment.

 “Will the Minister look into this matter because for many this will be the largest payment that they ever receive in their lives. The compensation is meant to help injured servicemen and women secure their futures – they must be offered financial advice.”

 The Minister replied that the issue had been raised with him before, that he felt is was important and that he would look into a viable solution.