Army families 'forced to rely on handouts'

Some Army families are forced to rely on charity handouts because they can not make ends meet on the wages paid to low-ranking soldiers, it was reported today.

The problem is exacerbated when regiments are sent overseas on tour as spouses are hit with unexpected extra expenses such as childcare and bigger phone bills, The Sun reported.

Foodbank, based in Salisbury, Wiltshire, has handed out food parcels to 245 struggling military families in three years.

The charity's network manager Jeremy Ravn told the newspaper: "Wives and families are hit by unexpected expenses. There is always the cost of extra child care and travel and bigger phone bills.

"But because the lower ranks are not paid well, often just a large bill or a hiccup in the pay system is enough to push them over the edge.

"Speaking as an ex-soldier, it is very distressing to see forces people in this state. It is heartbreaking when you see them come in. But it's nice to be able to help them immediately."

Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox told the newspaper: "For a government that can find billions for bank bailouts, service families going hungry is a betrayal of Britain's finest.

"This would have been a scandal in the 19th century. It's an outrage in the 21st century. What does it say about our country?"

Julie McCarthy, chairwoman of the Army Families Federation, said: "It's beyond belief that a nation like ours allows a situation like this.

"It's not because they are over-spending. It's because they have to live on such tight budgets to survive. The regiments do what they can, but their welfare officers are often overwhelmed dealing with fatalities and the wounded.

"When I look at what we ask our soldiers to do, it makes me very angry.

"They surely have enough to worry about in Afghanistan without wondering if their families are able to eat."