News / Military

Quarter of UK army personnel want to quit

Saturday, 23 May 2015 11:50 AM [ Last Update: Saturday, 23 May 2015 12:08 PM ]

The number of military personnel wanting to leave the armed forces has risen almost 10% in just under five years.

A recent Ministry of Defence survey has found that a quarter of those serving in the UK's armed forces want to quit. In 2011 the number of military personell that were planning to leave or had handed in their notice was 16% but that has risen by almost 10% in the last 4 years.

The shadow defence secretary Vernon Coaker said, "The situation has gone from bad to worse over the past five years and is unlikely to get any better with the Tories' current plans. The morale of our armed forces is of the utmost importance and the government needs to urgently address the issues that are making so many want to leave the forces.”

Many feel the reason the number of army personell wanting to leave is in direct relation to the armed forces potentially facing £35 billion of budget cuts over the next ten years. Several members of the military have already claimed they were not always given all the equipment needed to keep as safe as possible in an hostile environment and with these budget cuts set to take place it could result to something similar.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said, "We continually strive to ensure our people feel valued and that their contribution and sacrifice is recognised. That is why we invest in a range of measures to improve service life, from welfare support to accommodation, while prioritising the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant.”

However many campaign groups have said the MoD have failed army personell while in the service and also once they leave, with many not getting the proper medical treatment needed after returning from war. Many soldiers have complained of post traumatic stress disorder after leaving the military and many also complain of the lack of employment options once leaving the armed forces.

MW/MH

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