7,000 troops on alert to help in a winter surge

SEVEN thousand troops are to be put on standby as winter looms.

The total number of armed services personnel being moved to readiness is nearly 10 times the amount already at high-readiness or working on the Covid-19 response.

The plan was revealed by Defence Minister Baroness Annabel Goldie in a written parliamentary answer.

She said: “There are currently 739 Armed Forces personnel at high readiness, or otherwise committed to supporting the national response.

“Approximately 7,000 personnel will shortly be brought to readiness ahead of the winter period.”

Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey said: “I welcome their renewed role as the country now faces a second Covid surge. But it’s the Government’s poor handling of the crisis that means we must turn again to our Armed Forces for help.”