A DETERMINED eight year old boy has received a letter from Downing Street after he demanded that the PM stumped up higher wages for his hero dad.

Marcus Kipling felt so strongly that his dad deserved better after fighting for his country that he decided to take pen to paper and let the PM know exactly what he was thinking.

In his extra tuition class at Lulworth and Winfrith School Marcus wrote to David Cameron and said: “I am writing this letter because I am angry about the wages of a soldier.

“I think soldiers who got to war should get more money in their wages, they risk their lives for their country.

“I get cross when I hear how much footballers and politicians get paid – do they risk their lives for their country?”

Marcus also asked why soldiers are having to buy their own equipment and ended by stating that if Mr Cameron was a good prime minister he would answer his questions.

Two months later Marcus and his teacher James Rich were shocked to receive a personal reply.

In the letter, Mr Cameron said: “I agree that soldiers like your dad are incredibly brave and I am very proud of all they do for our country to keep us safe.

“I also think that it is important that our soldiers, and their families, like you and your dad are properly taken care of.

“I agree that we should give them the equipment and support we can – we are always looking at ways we can get better at this”

He explained that he has already doubled the amount of operational allowance that soldier’s get for ‘risking their lives in places like Afghanistan’.

The PM ended his letter by stating: “I would not be happy if I thought we were not providing your dad with the best equipment he needs – but I do know that sometimes soldiers like to buy their own equipment.”

Marcus’s dad Tony Kipling is currently serving in the Yorkshire Regiment after serving in the army for 21 years.

He said he had no knowledge that his son had decided to write to the PM about my wages and added: “I am extremely proud of Marcus for having the confidence to write a letter like that.”

Teacher Mr Rich said: “I am so proud of Marcus – what started off with a little one-to-one teaching has been a great success and because of this literacy is now his favourite subject. It’s a topical subject and something he felt strongly about and it’s great that Marcus did it off his own back.”

Reacting to the story South Dorset MP Richard Drax said: “Much more is being done without a doubt for soldiers serving in Afghanistan.

“I know some soldiers still buy their own equipment because they choose to but I am confident that soldiers serving in Afghanistan now have the best kit.

“One can only stand back in awe, of the sheer courage of the soldiers who are fighting for their countries so we should strive to do the best we can.”

He added: “It is fantastic that a boy of this age should take such an interest – good on him.

“Sometimes going to war is hardest on the families left behind who live in dread of bad news.”

Marcus Kipling's letter

Dear Prime Minister...

I am Marcus Kipling and I am eight years old. My dad is in the Army in the Yorkshire Regiment I am writing this letter this letter because I am angry about the wages of a soldier.

I think soldiers who go to war should get more money in their wages: they risk their lives for their country!

I get cross when I hear how much footballers and politicians get paid – do they risk their lives for their country?

Why do soldiers sometimes have to buy their own equipment? If you are a good Prime Minister you will answer my questions.

Yours sincerely, Marcus Kipling