Spin? UK military faces mass desertions

[TonyGosling]

UK Armed Forces 'Are In Crisis'
Britain's armed forces could be hit by a swathe of resignations unless they are given a multi-billion pound boost in spending, according to former servicemen.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Britains-Armed-Forces-Need-Mu lti-Billion-Pound-Boost-In-Spending-Claims-National-Defence-Associatio  /Article/200809315101033?lpos=UK_News_Second_Home_Page_Article_Teaser _Region_6&lid=ARTICLE_15101033_Britains_Armed_Forces_Need_Multi-Billio n_Pound_Boost_In_Spending_Claims_National_Defence_Associatio


UK military faces mass desertions
18 Sep 2008, 0000 hrs IST,ANI

LONDON: A serious crisis looms large over British defence forces as there is a possibility of a mass walkout due to massive under-funding and poor pay scales, as much of the defence budget is being spent on forces deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, a report titled "Overcoming The Defence Crisis" backed by former military chiefs has warned.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/UK_military_faces_mass_desert ions/articleshow/3495688.cms

It said that all the three major political parties must unite to back the "woefully under-funded" forces whose budget "urgently needs to be increased" from the current $34 billion to $50 billion over the next three years.

The mass resignations might paralyze the British defence forces, the report said and added that a "huge burden" has been placed on the forces with more than 12,000 troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan that has led to an immense strain on both troops and equipment.

"The national interest requires the full-hearted engagement of Government and Opposition to rehabilitate our Armed Forces and repair our defences. Now is no longer the time for party politics," the Telegraph quoted Winston Churchill, the UKNDA's president and grandson of the wartime leader, as saying. He warned the forces were "in crisis" with funding the lowest since 1930s when "inadequate defence provision paved the way directly to world war".