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PM pays tribute to troops in Afghanistan

The Prime Minister paid tribute to the "brave and professional" British troops serving in Afghanistan.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The Prime Minister has paid tribute to the “brave and professional” British troops serving in Afghanistan.

During a visit to Camp Bastion, in Helmand Province, David Cameron said they should be proud of themselves and that Britain was very proud of them.

He announced that the operational allowance for troops on overseas operations will be doubled and the increase will be backdated to 6 May, the date of the General Election.

The PM said:

What you are doing here will never be forgotten, it is great and important work. You are incredibly brave and professional in what you do.

I stand here as your Prime Minister, wanting to tell you from the bottom of my heart that you should be proud of yourselves and what you do because your country is incredibly proud of you.

Mr Cameron also read out a message of support from the England football coach Fabio Capello and the England team.

The Prime Minister addressed troops this morning after spending the night staying at the base.

He flew into the country yesterday for talks in Kabul with President Hamid Karzai, where he announced extra resources to counter roadside bombs.

Mr Cameron then travelled to Helmand, where he met British forces and visited an agricultural school with Helmand Governor Gulab Mangal.

Speeches and transcripts: PM’s speech at Camp Bastion

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Published 11 June 2010