17/09/2008

British Armed Forces 'In Crisis'

Britain's Armed Forces are in crisis and the current defence budget is inadequate to meet present commitments, according to a new report.

The UK National Defence Association (UKNDA), says there is an "urgent need to address the morale and funding requirements of all three armed forces". Entitled 'Overcoming the Defence Crisis', the report is asking for a 40% increase in the £33bn core military budget over the next three years.

UKNDA President Winston Churchill said: "There is an urgent requirement for a significant increase in Armed Forces pay, especially in the lower ranks, together with a thorough-going Defence Review, backed by the promise of fuller funding. The national interest requires the full- hearted engagement of Government and Opposition to rehabilitate our Armed Forces and repair our defences. Now is no longer the time for party politics."

The UKNDA says government should launch a comprehensive defence review and commit itself in principle to a spending increase, while the Conservative opposition should offer bi-partisan support for the rise.

(CD/JM)

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