The Ministry of Defence has said it is “constantly reviewing” operational allowance payments after it was revealed Typhoon crews in Libya including those from closure-threatened RAF Leuchars are missing out on extra payments given to colleagues in Iraq and Afghanistan.
RAF pilots helping to enforce a no-fly zone in the troubled region have been barred from getting the payments, which are ordinarily given to personnel deemed to be facing particular risks.
The extra operational allowance is worth up to £29.02 per day. While pilots in both Iraq and Afghanistan receive the payment, it has been revealed those enforcing the United Nations resolution in Libya do not.
An MoD spokesman said that the circumstances surrounding the mission were “different” to those elsewhere but insisted the situation was “under review.”
He said, “Although Libya is a dangerous place and what they are doing is dangerous, taken in the round, the circumstances in Afghanistan and Iraq are different to those in Libya.
“Operational allowance is paid to those service personnel on operations where they are working at high risk over a sustained period.
“The risk to those deployed on operations in Libya is kept constantly under review and, if it is judged appropriate, operational allowance will be paid.”
It is understood that the decision to restrict payments has caused resentment among those serving in Libya, with some insisting they are undertaking more dangerous duties than those in other trouble spots.
British Typhoon and Tornado crews have played a critical role in Libya, helping to destroy tanks, artillery and armoured vehicles used by Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
In so doing they have faced the threat of the dictator’s considerable anti-aircraft resources, including hundreds of surface-to-air missiles.
The operational allowance payment was doubled from £14.51 a day to £29.02 a day by Prime Minister David Cameron last year.
It means that those on a six-month tour could receive a tax-free sum of more than £5000 on their return to the UK.
Those qualifying for the additional allowance in the past have included personnel taking part in Operation Telic in Iraq and Operation Herrick in Afghanistan.