SERVICEMEN on certain overseas operations are having their council tax bills halved, the Ministry of Defence said.

The MoD is doubling Council Tax Relief (CTR) for personnel on eligible operations overseas, from 25 per cent to 50 per cent, from July 1.

The move, which will include those on Operation Ellamy, the UK part of the Nato operation in Libya, is part of the military covenant announced in May.

Based on the average council tax per dwelling in England, the boost amounts to around £296 for an average six-month tour, the MoD said.

Principles of the covenant were incorporated in the Armed Forces Bill after Prime Minister David Cameron bowed to pressure to enshrine in law the state's duty to look after the welfare of the armed forces and their families.

Other measures being introduced as part of the covenant include a Community Covenant scheme; an extra fund of £3m per year to support state schools catering for significant numbers of service children; and a Veterans Card to ease access to commercial discounts or privileges.

Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans Andrew Robathan said: "The core principle of the covenant is that members of the armed forces community do not suffer disadvantage as a result of their service.

"By increasing the level of council tax relief, we are underlining that key principle."