Service personnel are to be given university education free of charge after they end their duty with the armed forces, it has been reported.

According to the News of the World, personnel who complete six years service in the Army, Royal Navy or RAF will qualify for the scheme.

The government will pay tuition fees to study for GCSEs, A-levels, university degrees or other qualifications.

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Ian Kirby, assistant political editor for the News of the World, said the scheme was a method to help those who left the armed forces get back into civilian life, and could save people up to £9,000.

He BBC Radio Five Live: "My Ministry of Defence sources say this is a no-strings-attached deal. Basically, the bill for the tuition fees will go straight to the government."

Currently those serving in the armed forces can have tuition fees fully or partially paid for certain courses, but the incentives are based around retaining personnel. This new package can be taken even after they have left the service.

Mr Kirby also said if a service member who qualifies for the scheme is killed, then the credit for having free tuition will pass to their spouse.

A recent Ministry of Defence survey of 9,000 servicemen and women suggested that some 47% of Army and Royal Navy respondents and 44% of those in the RAF regularly felt like quitting.

Among the concerns raised by those surveyed were the frequency of tours, levels of pay and the quality of equipment and housing.

(BBC)

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