Today’s defence-related news includes reports about mental health in the services, an Army review of the Afghanistan campaign and the latest developments in the MOD’s land sales plans.
Veterans
There is widespread reporting today on the Royal British Legion’s call for more support to be offered to veterans, on the 25thanniversary of the first Gulf conflict.
An MOD spokesperson said:
We are indebted to all those who served our country in the 1990/1991 Gulf conflict. In recognition of this financial support is available to veterans and dependants, where an illness or death is due to service, through the War Pensions Scheme and Armed Forces occupational pensions schemes. We are clear that veterans should receive fair treatment following service and we are absolutely committed to supporting them and the wider Armed Forces community.
The Sunday Telegraph reports comments by a former Army nurse who says she did not receive adequate support for her mental health issues after serving in Iraq on operations.
An MOD spokesperson said:
We are absolutely committed to the mental health of our Armed Forces and in general it remains good. The latest figure for those assessed with a mental health disorder represents just 0.8% of the total UK Armed Forces population. The increase is not surprising given the MOD’s work in reducing the stigma associated with such illnesses and improved reporting of cases.
Land Release
The Sun reports that the MOD will this week announce that 12 MOD sites will be sold as building plots, generating £500 million, and space for 15,000 new homes. It is part of the plan to raise £1billion in MOD land sales by 2020, with the money used to buy Armed Forces equipment.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
Defence has the strongest incentive to become more efficient. Every pound we make by disposing of excess land will be reinvested into a defence budget that gives our armed forces the equipment they need to keep Britain safe. Every acre that we can free up will ensure that more people have the opportunity to own their own home.
Afghanistan
The Sunday Times reports that within a wide-ranging Army review into the Afghanistan campaign it says there was a shortage of specialist equipment which put troops at risk in the last decade. The article says that the lessons learned document says that some of the insurgency’s improvised bombs could have been defused without risking the lives of bomb disposal operators if they had been provided with 'more modern' robots to tackle them remotely.
An MOD spokesperson said:
Our Armed Forces served with professionalism and bravery throughout the span of our operations in Afghanistan, risking danger and injury to deliver vital security gains for the people of that country. This review rightly identifies that no campaign will be perfect, and will help inform future planning, but it should not distract from the heroism of our people, including those 454 service personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Iraq
The Sunday Express carries a report by the father of Lance Corporal Thomas Keys, a British Royal Military Policeman killed by Iraqis, in which he says while soldiers are facing historic allegations from Iraq his son’s killers are still free.
An MOD spokesperson said:
The Government has tried repeatedly to persuade the Iraqi authorities to pursue the cases against the remaining individuals implicated in these tragic events and will continue to do so.
Army Recruitment
The Sunday Times reports on the Army’s use of reverse psychology as part of a recruitment campaign. Major-General Chris Tickell is quoted:
We have deliberately designed a bold, new recruitment campaign that uses reverse psychology and a thought-provoking approach.
Follow us on Twitter and don’t forget to sign up for email alerts.