Commonwealth call

London: British ministers were expected to announce overnight that the Ministry of Defence would remove the need for Commonwealth citizens to have lived in Britain for five years before applying for service, as the armed forces struggle to recruit enough personnel to fill a shortfall in their ranks.

The UK hopes to enlist an extra 1350 personnel every year from countries including New Zealand, Australia, India and Canada.

The navy and air force will begin the process immediately, while the British Army will begin admissions from early next year, according to the Press Association.