Surviving veterans of the Arctic convoys and Bomber Command will receive new medals or clasps within a fortnight following the government's decision to bow to years of campaigning and properly acknowledge their bravery during the second world war.

Up to 250,000 veterans will be eligible for the decorations, but those still living or their widows will receive the awards first, the defence minister Mark Francois will announce on Tuesday.

Production of the Arctic Star medal and the Bomber Command clasp will begin this week after the final designs were agreed. The former has been based on the second world war stars, and the clasp is similar to the one given to veterans of the Battle of Britain.

The decision to award the decorations was made last December following a review by the former diplomat Sir John Holmes, who was asked by the prime minister to review the rules on military medals.

He concluded the Arctic veterans, who supplied Russia with vital fuel, food and munitions during the war, should have their own medal to mark "the very difficult work they did".

He also said veterans of Bomber Command had been "treated inconsistently with those who served in Fighter Command" and should also be entitled to a special RAF clasp.

Making the announcement, David Cameron told MPs: "Sir John has recommended, and I fully agree, that there will be an Arctic Convoy Star medal. I am very pleased that some of the brave men of the Arctic convoy will get the recognition they so richly deserve for the very difficult work they did. On Bomber Command, Sir John has recommended that the heroic air crews of Bomber Command should be awarded a Bomber Command clasp."

The Arctic convoys are credited with having played an important role in buoying Russia as Hitler mounted an invasion. The supplies helped the Red Army to push back against the Nazis, but this effort came at a cost.

More than 3,000 seamen were killed during 78 convoys that delivered 4m tonnes of cargo. Eighty-five merchant ships and 16 Royal Navy vessels were destroyed. It is thought 66,500 men sailed on the convoys, but only 200 are alive today.

Speaking last year, one survivor, Commander Eddie Grenfell, said it should not have taken 67 years to get the recognition of a star medal.

"I am very pleased that some of the brave men of the Arctic convoys will get the recognition they so richly deserve for the very dangerous work they did," the 92-year-old told the Press Association.

"We are pleased but not delighted. As soon as David Cameron came to power I reminded him of the promise. Only now has he got around to doing it. In the meantime God knows how many of my Arctic convoy chums have died waiting. All because we were waiting for these bloody politicians who have never heard a shot in their lives to make up their minds."