Oct 15, 2024 04:56 PM
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po...29481.html
INTRO: Defence secretary John Healey has shocked MPs after he admitted that the army is on course to fall to its lowest number of personnel for more than 230 years. Answering questions from in parliament, the minister confirmed that the size of the army will fall below 70,000 for the first time since 1793.
Back then, the British Army had around 40,000 soldiers but was rapidly increased to fight the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars.
Answering a question from Labour MP Emma Lewell-Buck, the defence secretary said: “I am really angry about the state of defence after the last Government: there are billion-pound black holes in defence plans; service morale is at record lows; and Army numbers are set to fall below 70,000 next year. We will work night and day to make our forces more fit to fight, and to make Britain more secure at home and stronger abroad.”
However, Tory former armed forces minister Mark Francois blamed the government for creating a climate of fear for soldiers over being chased for legal cases resulting from them carrying out their duties in combat zones.
He pointed to the new govenrment’s decision not to give veterans immunity from prosecution as the main reason for the recruitment crisis... (MORE - details)
INTRO: Defence secretary John Healey has shocked MPs after he admitted that the army is on course to fall to its lowest number of personnel for more than 230 years. Answering questions from in parliament, the minister confirmed that the size of the army will fall below 70,000 for the first time since 1793.
Back then, the British Army had around 40,000 soldiers but was rapidly increased to fight the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars.
Answering a question from Labour MP Emma Lewell-Buck, the defence secretary said: “I am really angry about the state of defence after the last Government: there are billion-pound black holes in defence plans; service morale is at record lows; and Army numbers are set to fall below 70,000 next year. We will work night and day to make our forces more fit to fight, and to make Britain more secure at home and stronger abroad.”
However, Tory former armed forces minister Mark Francois blamed the government for creating a climate of fear for soldiers over being chased for legal cases resulting from them carrying out their duties in combat zones.
He pointed to the new govenrment’s decision not to give veterans immunity from prosecution as the main reason for the recruitment crisis... (MORE - details)