More cash for seriously hurt troops

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The maximum lump-sum payment for the worst injuries will rise from £285,000 to £570,000, with guaranteed annual income for permanently disabled personnel raising their total lifetime benefit to £1 million or more.

Servicemen and women will also enjoy better access to school places, NHS doctors and dentists, and will be entitled to free college or university education after serving for six years or more.

The measures, set out in a Service Personnel Command Paper, were welcomed by campaigners, who have accused the Government of failing to live up to the unwritten "military covenant" under which the state looks after troops' welfare in return for their willingness to risk their lives.

Bryn Parry, co-founder and chairman of Help for Heroes, which supports servicemen and women wounded while serving their country, said: "Any increase in the compensation package is wonderful. As far as we are concerned they can never get enough."

The Royal British Legion said it regarded the package as a "victory" for servicemen" after its Honour the Covenant campaign calling on the Government to fulfil its duty of care to those who make a "unique commitment" to their country.

But lawyers for Lance-Bombardier Ben Parkinson, who lost both legs and suffered brain damage from a landmine explosion in Afghanistan in 2006, said that it did not go far enough.

The new maximum injury compensation is expected to benefit around 80 individuals, while less seriously injured troops will see improvements of up to 80% in their lump-sum payment. All payouts for injury in conflict will be increased by at least 10%.

Mr Browne said that Government had a "fundamental duty" to support troops and their families.

The cross-Government command paper provides "a package of measures that will make a real difference to the everyday lives of our forces and their families", he said.