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http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=588828

Iraq bill hits £5bn as MoD says troops will stay after poll
By Colin Brown, Deputy Political Editor

02 December 2004

The cost of the Iraq war and other military action has risen by £520m to a total of £5bn - equivalent to 1.5p on the standard rate of income tax.

The soaring cost of Britain's emergency military operations abroad was disclosed last night by Chancellor Gordon Brown, who is expected to have to raise borrowing substantially in the pre-Budget report today to cover rising public expenditure.

The Chancellor said he was setting aside an extra £520m in the special reserve to pay for the additional costs. MPs said last night that the rise would be enough to pay for three general hospitals or 20 schools.

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