Following a leaked Ministry of Defence report on Saturday that
showed 32 of 33 infantry battalions are dangerously short of
battle-ready personnel, Labour will use new legislation to force
the Government to safeguard the strength of Britain’s full-time
forces.
Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary, MP, is planning a bid to amend the Armed Forces Bill,
due for Commons debate on Monday 8 February, to mandate Ministers
to report to Parliament each year on the fighting strength of the
Armed Forces.
Healey points out the Conservatives' 2015 Strategic Defence and
Security Review target to “maintain the size of the regular Armed
Forces and to not reduce the Army to below 82,000” has not been
met, amid a much criticised £1.3 billion recruitment contract and
continuing problems with retention stemming dissatisfaction with
pay, housing and low morale.
Instead, the size of full-time, full-trained Army personnel has
shrunk from 102,200 in 2010 to 75,310 in 2020, well below the
committed strength of 82,000. The overall numbers of personnel
across the Armed Forces are down by 43,645 (a cut of 25%) since
2010, amid fears that the forthcoming Integrated Review will
announce further cuts to the Armed Forces.
Speaking ahead of the debate MP, Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary said:
“There is serious concern that Britain’s Armed Forces remain
10,000 below the total strength Ministers have said is needed and
we believe there is cross-party support for making sure the MoD
keeps our full-time forces up to strength and battle-ready.
“The strength of our forces should rightly be set by a full
assessment of the security threats we face and this is a central
question the new Integrated Review must answer. Our adversaries
will exploit continuing holes in our capability. The UK needs a
proper defence strategy without further delay.
“Labour also wants to ensure the Government’s Armed Forces Bill
will deliver step-change improvements in work and living
conditions for the forces, veterans and their families.”
Ends
Notes to editors
- The Government currently produces quarterly statistics on the
total size of the forces but these do not detail how many are
battle-ready.
- 2010 Quarterly Personnel Statistics:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/280568/2010.pdf
- 2020 Quarterly Personnel Statistics:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/945448/Final_SPS_1_Oct_2020.pdf
2015 SDSR, commitment to Forces Strength, P.27: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/555607/2015_Strategic_Defence_and_Security_Review.pdf
