Army missed annual recruitment target by 2,670 troops
THE MINISTRY of Defence has been told it “cannot take future recruitment for granted” as it emerged the Army missed its target last year by more than 2,500 troops.
New figures released to Parliament show 6,910 new regular troops joined the Army over the past 12 months, against a target of 9,580 – a shortfall of 28 per cent.
The figures were released after a written parliamentary question by Labour MP and former defence minister Kevan Jones.
In a separate question from Labour peer Lord Touhig, defence Minister Earl Howe said the Ministry of Defence (MoD) “cannot take future recruitment for granted” in the wake of a national skills shortage and a strong, growing economy.
The Army’s £500m recruitment contract with Capita has been heavily criticised in the past, amid IT problems and repeated failures to hit targets.
Mr Jones said: “These figures show just how serious the Army’s manning shortfall is and ministers need to clarify whether or not this is a deliberate attempt to balance the defence budget.”
The figures relate to untrained recruits starting their phase one training.
In his answer to Mr Jones, defence minister Mike Penning said between December 2015 and December 2016, 633 officer recruits joined the Army’s untrained strength, against a target of 745.
Mr Penning added: “Targets are internally set by the Army recruitment and training division and are subject to constant change and review.”
The Army was cut from 102,000 to 82,000 regulars after the 2010 defence review, while the number of reservists was promised to increase from 19,000 to 30,000.
Responding to Lord Touhig’s question about shortfalls in recruitment to the armed forces, Earl Howe said there were currently a number of campaigns running to boost enrolment.
He added: “However, a national skills shortage and a strong growing economy mean that we cannot take future recruitment for granted.”
“In response we have in place short and long-term plans to ensure the offer of military service in the armed forces continues to be competitive, so that we can recruit and retain in sufficient quantity to meet the strength targets set out in the strategic defence and security review 2015.”
An Army spokesman said: “The Army has enough people to perform all of its operational tasks to keep Britain safe.”