News story

Service personnel notified of redundancies

"End to a period of uncertainty" for UK service personnel who find out if they have been selected for redundancy.

• From: Ministry of Defence and The Rt Hon Philip Hammond
• Published: 12 June 2014

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

British soldiers on parade (library image)

Today, 12 June, personnel from across the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force will be notified if they have been selected for redundancy in the fourth and final tranche of the armed forces redundancy programme.

The approximate number of personnel being notified for this final tranche is:

• 995 British Army
• 55 RAF
• 10 Royal Navy

The redundancies come following the Strategic Defence and Security Review’s announcement of reducing 17,000 posts from the regular armed forces.

Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Nicholas Houghton, said:

I do not take lightly the redundancies that have been announced today and, when I thank those who will be leaving the services for their contribution to our nation’s security, I do so sincerely.

For both applicants and non-applicants this announcement today will present opportunities and challenges, but I can assure you that you will be supported throughout by the wider military community as you make the transition into civilian life or into our reserve forces.

The Ministry of Defence understands the transition to civilian life can be daunting, which is why a robust resettlement programme is in place.

Each year around 24,000 personnel leave the armed forces, and around 80% of those who look for work are in full-time employment within 6 months of leaving.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said:

Today marks the end to a period of uncertainty and doubt for our personnel. The announcement of the final tranche of the redundancy scheme, we introduced to rebalance our armed forces and address the black hole in the defence budget in 2010, allows greater certainty for armed forces personnel going forward.

It is with great regret that we have had to make redundancies to reduce the size of the armed forces, but unfortunately they were unavoidable.

As announced in 2010, we will have smaller armed forces, but bolstered by our reserve forces they will be more flexible and agile and able to react to challenges with the protection and equipment they need. The armed forces will continue to provide extremely rewarding and exciting careers for future recruits.

Published 12 June 2014