As the election looms, both main political parties are on the lookout for headline grabbing policies that cost next to nothing. The latest wheeze from the Tories is to offer soldiers that die in the line of duty, university scholarships for their kids worth around £8000 per year. A scheme no doubt concocted by middle aged politicians and civil servants who had the luxury of a grant not a loan when they were at University and did not have to lose their father in wars to control oil and heroin.
So let’s take a brief look at this new scheme that will come into force the same day the Tories win the next election. Since the average soldier on the front line is in their late teens or early twenties, even if they do have kids, it is going to be a very long time before they going to be old enough to go to University. The Tories estimate this scheme will cost £1.5m, but of course do not give a timescale. In reality, even if the Tories do win the next election, this scheme will only start to pay out after another 3 parliaments have been and gone. However, I’ve no doubt this little wheeze will be plastered over Tories rags like The Daily Mail all next week.
