Injured soldiers deserve better

THE solemn scenes witnessed at each repatriation ceremony at Wootton Bassett – the body of heroic Yorkshire soldier Luke Farmer was the latest to be flown home yesterday – serve to highlight the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces, while also prompting searching questions about the adequacy, or otherwise, of the Government's support.

Just as important, however, are the futures of all service personnel seriously injured on the battlefields of Iraq or Afghanistan. They are, invariably, clinging to life as they are flown to a military hospital to begin months, if not years, of tortuous rehabilitation.

Their determination to come to terms with the loss of some, or all, of their limbs is truly inspirational, and invariably without complaint. Yet this should not preclude others from voicing their concerns – especially when it emerges that young men, left permanently disabled, are being let down by the inflexibility of the benefits system.

It was extraordinary that the family of Ben Parkinson, a Doncaster soldier who suffered multiple injuries in Afghanistan, had to campaign so long and hard to achieve the appropriate benefits and care package.

Shamefully, this appears not to be an isolated case. How can anyone at the Benefits Agency justify the decision to withhold money from Lance Corporal Adam Douglas, a crippled Leeds soldier, who has to walk with the aid of two sticks – and requires full-time care from his wife who, in turn, has had to give up her own job? So far, he has endured 29 operations since being blown up in Basra in 2003.

Such perverse decisions perpetuate the belief that the benefits system betrays those most in need of its assistance. This has to end. And it can end very quickly – with the appointment of specialist staff who comprehend the circumstances of soldiers crippled while serving their country. This change of emphasis must be introduced immediately before any more troops are needlessly let down by a welfare system which does not live up to its name.