Plan 'to double' Afghan troop bonus
David Cameron has pledged to double the bonuses paid to troops returning from Afghanistan.
The Tory leader made the pledge during a visit to the war-torn country.
He told reporters the payment for a six-month tour of duty would increase to £4,800 if the Conservatives won the next general election.
He also revealed plans to appoint a national security adviser, make Ministry of Defence service personnel wear uniforms instead of civilian clothing, and award campaign medals to RAF medics who are currently not eligible for them.
Speaking to The Sun about soldiers' bonuses, Mr Cameron said: "The pay they get for what they do is relatively low. We want to do more to make sure our forces have a better deal. I'll make that a priority of my first Budget. It will happen in our first 50 days."
Earlier on Friday Mr Cameron delivered a stark warning that Nato had one "last chance" to succeed in Afghanistan. He said the extra troops pledged by the US, Britain and other allies offered an opportunity, but cautioned that the public's patience was running out.
Speaking after touring a market in Nad Ali, in southern Helmand province, Mr Cameron said he had seen a "glimpse of what can be possible if we get it right".
"We can't be here for another eight years," he told the BBC. "I think following President (Barack) Obama's speech and the increase in American and British forces we have a chance, probably our last chance, to get it right, but we do have a chance.
"Time is short. The Afghans think that time is short and the British public think that time is short."
Mr Cameron said he believed "some progress" was being made by UK forces in Helmand, although the situation was currently "not nearly good enough". He also insisted that setting "artificial timetables" for ending the military operations would only give people "false hope".
