Army shortfall soars by 300% in 9 months says Potts

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 25th Aug 2005

"With a major impending deployment to Afghanistan, where UK troops will take a lead role, the government urgently needs to reverse these trends." says Potts

Responding to figures published today by the MOD which show the Army is short of over 2,100 soldiers, an increase in the shortfall of trained soldiers, since January this year, of nearly 300%, Sam Potts, Liberal Democrat, said:

"These figures starkly show the degree of overstretch in the Army, and are a serious cause for concern.

"Instead of sacrificing infantry regiments, the government should be prioritising recruitment and retention. High-technology is vital but can never replace sufficient numbers of well-trained, well-equipped troops on the ground.

"With a major impending deployment to Afghanistan, where UK troops will take a lead role, the government urgently needs to reverse these trends."

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