The Liberal Democrats propose a £10,000 recruitment bonus for new soldiers to rapidly increase troop numbers, citing an increasingly volatile global security landscape.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey also advocates for a nationwide public awareness campaign, distributing pamphlets to ensure all British households are prepared for potential blackouts and disruptions stemming from conflict or cyberattacks.
The party projects this initiative would swiftly boost the number of trained soldiers from approximately 71,000 to over 73,000. This figure is based on official government data.
Sir Ed Davey emphasizes the need for enhanced preparedness in light of the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President Donald Trump, referencing a recent visit to Estonian troops stationed on NATO’s eastern flank.
His visit underscored the necessity for bolstering Britain’s war readiness, beginning with domestic preparedness initiatives. The proposed plan includes a £10,000 bonus for new recruits completing training and serving two years, and a £20,000 payment for former personnel returning for a further two-year commitment. The current starting salary for army recruits is £26,334 per year.
This proposal builds upon existing government retention schemes, but would specifically target 3,000 personnel at a cost of £60 million, funded within the existing defense budget.
The Lib Dems project this initiative, contingent on a projected increase in defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 (as proposed by the Labour Party), would be financed by a rise in the Digital Services Tax.
This initiative aims to increase the number of trained soldiers to 73,000, as compared to the currently reported 70,752. This contrasts with government plans for a gradual increase to 76,000 by 2029, and Labour’s proposal for a 20% increase in Active Reserves.
The government is currently investing £7bn by 2025 to regenerate military housing, following the return of the defence estate to MoD control. A Labour spokesperson criticized the Lib Dem proposal, highlighting the party’s past support for defense cuts.
The Conservatives have also voiced support for increased troop numbers but haven’t specified target numbers. Meanwhile, the Shadow Defence Secretary recently outlined plans to address poor military housing, citing an MoD survey revealing that nearly a third of troops are considering leaving due to substandard living conditions. The survey’s findings are cause for serious concern.
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