Army makes 4,480 soldiers redundant

Off By Sharon Black

Third, and largest, round of cuts made to size of army in attempt to reduce personnel numbers to 82,000 by 2018

In the biggest single cut to the size of the army, 4,480 soldiers have been handed redundancy notices as the force aims to reduce personnel numbers to 82,000 by 2018, from more than 100,000 three years ago.

In the third of what officials described as across-the-board salami slices, the Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday that 84% of those affected had applied for redundancy.

No personnel preparing for, serving on, or recovering from deployments lost their jobs unless they applied for redundancy.

Personnel recovering from serious injuries sustained on operations were also exempt from the cuts. However, officials say staff in these categories could be made redundant in the final round of cuts next year.

Those who applied for voluntary redundancy will leave on or before 17 December, and those who did not will leave on or before 17 June 2014.

There will be no new reductions in the army as a result of the latest spending review, due to be announced by the chancellor next Wednesday. The defence secretary, Philip Hammond, has already negotiated a 1% increase in the defence equipment programme, …read more