Costs of military action in Iraq and Afghanistan 'to double'
Monday, 10 Mar 2008 20:04
Costs of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are to rise
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The cost of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan in the coming year is likely to double.
The House of Commons defence committee published a report today claiming the cost of military action in the war zones is set to reach £3.197 billion, a rise of 94 per cent on the previous year.
Despite handing over control of the southern Iraqi region of Basra, the cost of the British presence in Iraq is to rise some 72 per cent to £1.648 billion.
In Afghanistan the cost of the conflict will rise by 122 per cent to £1.694 billion in the coming financial year, the committee claimed.
"Few people will object to the investment being made in better facilities and equipment for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan," James Arbuthnot, the committee chairman said.
"However, this estimate represents a lot of public money. The MoD needs to provide better information about what is all being spent on."
Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Nick Harvey was critical of the rising costs, stating: "This clearly shows how the Iraq war is continuing to bleed our finances dry, leaving soldiers in Afghanistan overstretched and under-equipped."
A MoD spokesman said that a statement responding the report was being prepared.