Ministry of Defence paid out staggering £107.2m in compensation for accidents last year

THE Ministry of Defence paid out £107.2million in compensation for accidents in the last year, it has been revealed.

They include one employee who suffered a broken arm while wrestling with a wheelie bin in a gale at an airfield.

Another worker got a payout after he suffered a strained arm and elbow trying to pull a boot on.

And another broke a foot by dropping a basketball on it.

The MoD paid out £83.6million to service personnel and £23.6million to civilian staff.

The details were revealed by safety officers who record all serious incidents for the Health and Safety Executive.

Professor Bill Durodie, Chair of Risk and Security at the University of Bath, said: “Sadly, the list of injuries reported here – and the pursuit of compensation – is not peculiar to the military.

“Stories such as these are replicated across countless public and private sector workplaces today.

“In the past, the military in particular would frame misfortune as a test of moral fibre in the pursuit of a broader mission for society. The inability to do so now points to a crisis of purpose and authority.”

The MoD said: “We have robust policies and processes in place to safely manage activities.

“Where there is a proven legal liability, compensation is paid.”