The move comes as the Lord Provost paid tribute to former armed personnel at a special Veterans’ Day event in George Square to mark national Veterans’ Day. It also signals the start of efforts by the Lord Provost to increase efforts by the city to recognise the service and dedication of members and former members of the armed forces.

The Lord Provost said the council plans to disregard all income from war pensions when calculating Council Tax and Housing Benefit. The move will put around £400,000 back into the pockets of around 500 Glasgow families.

Cllr Winter said: “I want to make sure that the council and the people of Glasgow pay due respect to military personnel and their families.

“These men and women who risk their lives for our country deserve greater recognition for their work, and, sadly, in some cases for their sacrifices.

“Changing our policy on Council Tax benefit is a relatively small gesture by the council that could have a big impact financially on hundreds of war pensioners and their families.”

At present the council regards a large percentage of war pensions as income when calculating Council Tax and Housing Benefits.

In future, it will no longer be regarded as income, meaning that people whose war pension includes more than the basic elements will qualify for lower Council Tax bills and higher Housing Benefit.

It is estimated that this will apply directly to around 500 people. In addition, there may be individuals who do not qualify under the current rules but could benefit when the policy is changed.

Part of the cost of applying this measure will fall on the Department for Work and Pensions, with the remaining cost being met by the council, estimated to be £100,000 a year.

If the council were to incur a cost of this order, the additional benefit for war pensioners would come to a total of £400,000.

Hundreds of former servicemen and women attended Glasgow’s first Veterans' Day event to pay their respects to comrades past and present. Dr Laurence Whitley, Minister of Glasgow, based at Glasgow Cathedral, spoke of the sacrifice the servicemen and women had made to protect our freedoms. He also led the prayers before the wreath laying ceremony.

The Lord Provost, a veteran of the Royal Army Pay Corps, also thanked the veterans and presented them with their veterans' badges.

To read more on the coverage of the Veterans' Day in Glasgow, click here.