British Army set to inform soldiers of redundancy

THE MoD said personnel selected for redundancy would be told face to face by their commanding officer.

It said it had done everything to avoid “non-applicant” redundancies, and 84% of those losing their jobs in the latest tranche had applied for redundancy.

Those who applied for voluntary redundancy will leave on or before December 17 this year, and those who did not will leave on or before June 17 2014.

Soldiers who did not apply and are currently serving, preparing for or recovering from operations where they receive an operational allowance, such as Afghanistan, are exempt, as are those recovering from serious injuries sustained on operations.

The MoD said the Army will need to make further reductions to reach its final target of 82,000, likely to involve a further tranche for Army personnel, and a small number of medical and dental personnel from the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

Chief of the General Staff General Sir Peter Wall said: “This redundancy scheme is a difficult but essential step towards our A2020 structure. We owe our sincere gratitude to those leaving the Army for their service over such a demanding period of operations.

“We will support them and their families as best we can on their path to civilian life. Meanwhile we continue to need plenty of young and talented recruits to ensure the Army is fit to meet the challenges of the future.”