But why is this important?
If governments can commit to war, knowing that the resulting cost in blood can be hidden from those who vote - then it becomes easier to initiate.
If young men and women can sign on for service without knowing the true risk - it becomes easier to sustain.
If our democracy is to mean anything this has to stop.
21/01/2006 - Is John Reid telling the truth about about UK casualties in Iraq?
22/01/2006 - As the Government Plays Around with Casualty Statistics British Soldiers Prepare to Sue MOD
06/03/2006 - Under-reporting of British casualties in Iraq: Analysis published in The Lancet
24/03/2006 - MOD publishes information on British casualties online
31/03/2006 - "Britain's casualties of Iraq war total 6,700"
01/05/2006 - UK Casualties in Iraq: The debate continues in The Lancet
16/06/2006 - Ministry of Defence make partial improvements in their Iraq war casualty reporting
20/09/2006 - MOD admits failures in casualty reporting system
24/10/2006 - MoD moves to censor reporting of UK casualties
Update: From June 2007 we are now maintaining a regularly updated graphical analysis of British casualties - from both the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan