The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Figures show Scots Army recruitment in ‘crisis’
The Army recruitment “crisis” in Scotland has been laid bare by new statistics showing the main infantry regiment is understrength by almost a quarter.
The Royal Regiment of Scotland, which includes famous battalions such as The Black Watch and The Highlanders, was 489 troops short of its 2,059 personnel “requirement” last year.
The shortfall was among the largest in the British Army when compared against current targets.
And the actual strength of the regiment has shrunk by 28% over the last five years, from 2,180 troops in 2015 to 1,570 last year.
SNP defence spokesman Stewart Mcdonald accused the UK Government of overseeing a “recruitment crisis” that has broken promises, reduced capabilities and could now impact on the military’s contribution to the Covid19 vaccines rollout.
The Army insisted it had met its recruitment targets for this year, however, and that it continues to seek new personnel in Scotland.
The figures have been released under freedom of information laws in the wake of a row in November about the future of The Black Watch, also known as 3 rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, or 3 Scots.
Reports suggested the Fort George-based unit was facing the axe due to recruitment problems, only for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to remove the threat a few days later.
Figures from April show the Royal Regiment of Scotland was at 76% of its staffing requirement, a larger gap than any other except the Merci an Regiment and the Welsh Guards, also at 76%, the Irish Guards at 72%, and the Scots Guards at 69%.
Data by battalion show The Black Watch (3 Scots) was 144 personnel short of its 544 requirement in October, while The Highlanders (4 Scots) was 152 below its target of 632.
The Royal Highland Fusiliers (2 Scots) was 103 under its 563 requirement, the Royal Scots Borderers (1 Scots) 22 down on its 212 capacity, with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (5 Scots) 29 short of its target of 99.
Mr Mcdonald, SNP MP for Glasgow South, said: “The UK Government has thrust the armed forces into a recruitment crisis at the very time we need the support they provide.
“Broken Tory promises – like the increase in personnel stationed in Scotland made during the 2014 referendum – impact our capacity and ability to tackle both domestic and global threats, safeguard our safety and security and, importantly, assist with the Covid-19 vaccine rollout.
“In stark contrast to Tory cuts, the SNP has proposed an Armed Forces Welfare Commission designed to help personnel develop as professionals, allowing troops to remain grounded in their local communities, and ensuring the family life and personal wellbeing of military personnel are assured.”