The MoD has announced that it will set in place a new screening test to detect uranium in the bodies of Gulf war soldiers.

Veterans say the procedure is too little, too late for the thousands who have suffered  ill-health for years.

Meanwhile defence minister Ivor Caplin uses an interview with the FT to warn Conservative peers that they risk stopping increased death-in-service payments through their continued opposition to curbs on  widows pensions.

Ahead of a likely parliamentary stand-off next month he says that "you can't let costs go out of control".