Morally corrupt that military personnel have to pay so much on rail fares, TV star says
Antony Cotton, a prominent supporter of the Armed Forces, is calling on Defence Secretary Grant Shapps to widen current provisions that only provide a limited number of free rail journeys to some members of the military.
The Coronation Street star said it was "morally corrupt" that some forces personnel had to pay pay upwards of £100 just to get home at weekends or when on annual leave.
The actor said he had been trying to discuss the matter with the Defence Secretary for some time, but had been ignored so he now plans to pen an open letter on the issue.
'Our Armed Forces are the backbone of society'
Speaking exclusively to Forces News, Mr Cotton said: "When you're serving, you have absolutely no choice where you're sent to, so you could be from the very higher end of Scotland and be posted to Wiltshire.
"That's quite an epic journey anyway and you're going to be paying hundreds of pounds every month to get home to see your family.
"On a very basic human level, if people are willing to sign on the dotted line and say they will serve King and country, and give up certain freedoms, I think the very least we can do is to transport them on rail.
"We've lost track of what public transport is."
Currently, under the Get You Home (Early Years) policy, military personnel in Phase One training and those who have completed training within the previous 12 months are entitled to receive a rail warrant covering the cost of a return train ticket to a registered next of kin address.
Military personnel who own their own property or maintain a family home privately away from their military base may also be entitled to free rail travel, under the general Get You Home (Travel) policy.
But in general, military personnel are not entitled to either receive rail warrants that can be used at train stations to pay for travel tickets or to claim back the cost of rail fares subsequently.
Mr Cotton says this is unfair.
In March, rail fares in England and Wales increased by 4.9%. This was in addition to the 5.9% increase seen last year. In April, fares in Scotland are due to rise by 8.7%.
Mr Cotton said: "The Government has the opportunity to support our service personnel in any way, shape or form.
"Mr Shapps keeps saying online [military personnel] are the backbone of our society and they deserve better.
"I realise there are other issues too. We've got accommodation issues, we've got kit and equipment issues, I understand all of that … but don't pay lip service. Do something about it.
"And I think something that will ease the cost of living for so many of our serving personnel will be complimentary rail transport. To me it's a no-brainer."
Pointing to the free transportation members of the Armed Forces can enjoy in Manchester, Mr Cotton said the scheme proves it is possible to do something easily to benefit those who serve.
In Manchester, holders of military identity cards known as MOD 90s can travel for free on Metrolink – the city's tram network – after 09:30 on Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends.
The actor says he will write an open letter to Mr Shapps in the coming days and hopes the Defence Secretary will reply to it after Mr Cotton said he had ignored his earlier requests including while Transport Secretary.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "The Get You Home (Early Years) scheme enables junior members of the services in the UK to maintain links with family, friends and their home area while they adjust to service life.
"The scheme includes allowances, such as Home to Duty travel, to help eligible service personnel with travel costs.
"Alongside this, all service personnel can purchase an HM Forces Railcard giving them access to discounted rail travel."
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