Marines on patrol in Helmand
Marines 'lose' payment in blunder
The morale of marines could be affected, the opposition said
Royal Marines serving in Afghanistan have been left disappointed after being told they will not receive an expected increase in their allowance.
Because of a blunder by Royal Navy administrators the marines had been led to believe they would receive a bonus of up to £3,000.
The Ministry of Defence has since realised the error and said the marines will not be paid the money.
An MoD spokesman said the internal mistake had been "regrettable".
Under new pay regulations Royal Marines had been led to believe they would receive up to £17 extra a day over a six-month period overseas, it was reported.
Morale 'affected'
The error was included in an internal Royal Navy instruction outlining a new pay scheme.
Mark Harper, the shadow defence minister, told the Daily Telegraph: "This will have a huge effect on morale for troops engaged in some of the most dangerous fighting for years, especially in the run-up to Christmas."
An MoD spokeswoman said: "The Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel will be paid under joint personnel agency arrangements from this month.
"Regrettably the internal Royal Navy instruction was wrong and some personnel are disappointed that they will not receive this substantial uplift.
"However, it is important to note that they are not taking a cut."
Taken from: BBC News Thursday 30 th November 2006
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