Latest NAO report further evidence of need for boost for defence spending

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Latest NAO report further evidence of need for boost for defence spending

Worrying findings from the NAO demonstrate the extent of skills shortages across the Armed Forces and civilian workforce



Union Flag patch on on camoflaged military jacket

Reacting to the a report published today from the National Audit Office (NAO) about the shortage of skilled personnel in the Armed Forces, Prospect deputy general secretary Garry Graham said:

“These worrying findings from the NAO demonstrate that the skills shortage in the MOD now extends across both the Armed Forces and civilian workforce, and has the potential to damage UK defence capability for decades. We know that since 2010 there has been an increase in the number of uniformed personnel taking on civilian posts, so the impact on front line is even worse than the headline figures in this report suggest.

“Years of budget cuts have already caused significant pressure on the civilian workforce, which has been cut by over a third since 2010, and has led to a lack of capacity in many scientific and technical roles in particular.

“Combined with the gap in the defence equipment budget of up to £21bn, it is clear that the currently level of defence spending is totally inadequate if we are to maintain our current defence capability, the government must must listen to defence staff, unions, and its own MPs, who are all urging them to change course and ensure defence receives the resources it needs.”