Armed forces 'to get £400m more'

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The armed forces have been allocated an extra £400m for overseas operations, Chancellor Alistair Darling has said.

He told MPs the money came on top of previously announced increases in the defence budget.

Mr Darling said protecting the country was the first duty of government and praised troops serving overseas - particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He also repeated a pledge to spend an extra £500m on improving military accommodation.

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