THE UK Government is “letting down” many servicemen and women, the SNP claimed after publishing a paper proposing changes for the armed forces.
In addition to outlining alterations to recruitment and retention, pay, housing and veterans’ issues, party defence spokesperson Stewart McDonald said plans could act as a “cornerstone” for how an independent Scotland would handle issues.
UK Government ministers are urged to raise the recruitment age for the forces to 18, with the paper – published on Armed Forces Day today – also demanding regular reviews of pay and conditions as it notes new recruits in the forces can earn £4000-£6000 a year less than their counterparts in the police and fire services.
As part of efforts to deal with “outdated, run-down” military housing, it suggests moving to a model where service personnel could live in their own homes “as much as possible while not on exercise”.
As well as saving cash used to maintain housing, the modern armed forces report says this move would boost morale. It also demands the Ministry of Defence goes “further and faster” with its efforts to tackle discrimination and harassment in the forces.
McDonald said all the suggestions in the report are “eminently sensible and achievable now”, as he added: “I hope the Government will take them on.
“From assisting with the rollout of life-saving vaccines across Scotland to undertaking peacekeeping missions, members of the armed forces have quietly continued their vital work during this past unprecedented and difficult year.
“As we mark Armed Forces Day, we must go beyond the rhetoric and take steps to properly recognise the role and contribution of our forces personnel, and to address the serious challenges facing them and their families.”
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