Forces’ morale plunges as cuts bite

MORALE in Britain’s armed forces has hit its lowest level for four years, in the wake of the government’s defence cuts, according to official figures published yesterday.

The Ministry of Defence’s latest continuous attitude survey showed morale in all three services had fallen in the two years since the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), with the army particularly hard hit.

Overall, across the three armed services, the proportion describing morale as high was only 15 per cent, down from 18 per cent last year and a ten-point drop from 2010.

Those saying that morale was low rose from 33 per cent in 2010 to 44 per cent last year and 50 per cent now.

In the army, which is losing 20,000 troops, the fall-off was even sharper, with the proportion who believed morale was high falling 14 points, from 32 per cent in 2010 to 18 per cent this year, while those who felt it was low rose from 24 per cent to 45 per cent.

The situation is worse among officers, with 60 per cent of them describing morale as low, against only 6 per cent who said it was high.

The figures follow major changes in the armed forces, including the SDSR in 2010 and the bases review last year. In addition, there have been 18,000 job losses in the army and 5,000 each in the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.

Recently, the MoD announced that historic regimental names would be lost, including famous ones in England such and the Green Howards and the Staffs.

Scottish regimental names were saved, although the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland, have been reduced to a company for ceremonial duties.

Last night, defence minister Peter Luff admitted decisions taken by the government had hit morale in the armed forces.

“While morale on operations remains high, we have had to make tough decisions to get the defence budget back into balance, including reducing the size of our armed forces,” he said.

“Any change like this is bound to create uncertainty, however, but the resilience of our personnel should not be underestimated.”

He added: “We are nearing the end of a very difficult period in defence and hope to see morale slowly recovering over the next couple of years.

“Our armed forces remain focused on doing their job, whether it is in Afghanistan or at home in the UK for the Olympics.”

Shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy said: “These figures are a real worry and a terrible reflection of this government’s defence policy.

“A vital benchmark of success is our forces’ morale and yet it has been damaged and dented by [Prime Minister] David Cameron and [Defence Secretary] Philip Hammond.

“A botched review and cuts to vital support have made our forces feel undervalued and overstretched. Cutting the army by 20,000 while we have so many of our forces serving in Afghanistan is a real blow.

“Tough decisions are necessary, but they must be taken with respect not recklessness.

“The whole country will expect David Cameron to sit up, listen and change course in response to this worrying trend.”

The figures come despite a successful military campaign in Libya and government promises that forces will be pulled out of Afghanistan by the end of 2014.