John Healey – 2021 Comments on Army Numbers

The comments made by John Healey, the Shadow Defence Secretary, on 7 February 2021.

There is serious concern that Britain’s Armed Forces remain 10,000 below the total strength Ministers have said is needed and we believe there is cross-party support for making sure the MoD keeps our full-time forces up to strength and battle-ready.

The strength of our forces should rightly be set by a full assessment of the security threats we face and this is a central question the new Integrated Review must answer. Our adversaries will exploit continuing holes in our capability. The UK needs a proper defence strategy without further delay.

Labour also wants to ensure the Government’s Armed Forces Bill will deliver step-change improvements in work and living conditions for the forces, veterans and their families.