By IRNA
London : The House of Commons Defence Committee announced Thursday it was launching an inquiry into the issue of recruitment and retention in the Armed Forces.
“The UK is currently supporting two major operations, in Iraq and in Afghanistan, and the burden this places on the Armed Forces is considerable, not least because many units are under strength,” the all-party group of MPs said.
“One reason for this is difficulties in recruiting new Service personnel, particularly to the army, and then retaining them over time,” it said.
The committee pointed out these difficulties in recruitment and retention, that have been affecting specialist personnel, such as medical services, as well as the army in general, in its recent report of the Ministry of Defence’s annual accounts.
Concern was expressed over the MoD’s failure to meet its targets and achieve most of its diversity targets, particularly with regard to the recruitment and retention of people from ethnic minorities.
The committee said its inquiry will include the identification of factors which hamper recruitment within the three armed forces services.
It will also examine factors leading to difficulties with the retention and the impact on the ability of the armed forces to meet their commitments.
Many retired military leaders have expressed concern and continuing pressure on Britain’s overstretched armed forces caused by fighting two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.