Army recruitment rises but concerns remain
The number of people joining the army last year rose by 9.2 per cent, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced.
A total of 11,460 people enlisted as soldiers last year, an increase of 1,060 on the previous financial year, which was attributed in part to high profile advertising campaigns.
However, an MOD spokesman confirmed that despite this rise, the army still missed its target of recruiting 12,626 soldiers last year by more than 1,000 people.
And despite a major campaign to get people to join the infantry, this unit missed its target of enlisting 2,835 soldiers by 175. The Royal Artillery failed to reach its target of 611 new recruits by almost 200.
Army recruitment is a hot topic given the numerous deployments of British troops around the world, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan. A recent report from the Commons defence committee warned soldiers in Iraq were underresrouced and overstretched.
The MoD has always denied the armed forces are overstretched, but today officials admitted they were facing a “challenging” recruitment market.
They blamed competition created by other employers in a strong economy, and more young people opting to stay on in education after the age of 18, which reduced the pool of potential recruits.
But speaking at a passing out parade at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate today, armed forces minister Adam Ingram welcomed the 9.2 per cent increase in recruits.
He noted there had also been a “significant” increase in people expressing an interest in joining the army. About 15,000 inquiries were received in the infantry unit last year.
“Public support for our forces is vitally important. It is justifiably very high,” he told young soldiers and their families.
“Eighty per cent of the British public thinks our army is among the best in the world. As you leave this fine establishment, each of you has a role to play in helping the public to understand what you do and why you do it.”
Shadow defence minister Mark Harper welcomed the rise in recruitment, but warned: “Retention is still poor with over 14,000 leaving the army in the past year, outstripping the recruitment leaving, the army 1,500 soldiers smaller.
“With ever increasing commitments and a shrinking army, the effects of overstretch are just going to get worse.”
However, an MoD spokesman disputed these figures, noting that the 14,000 figure included officers and new recruits who had yet to complete their training.
The number of soldiers leaving the army was 10,420 last year, of whom 340 went on to become officers, he said.
