Tranche 2 redundancies in UK armed forces

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said today:"Of course I regret that it has been necessary to make redundancies to deliver our plans for reducing the size of the Armed Forces. The Royal Navy and RAF redundancy figures are smaller than anticipated due to the MoD's ability to use other measures such as slowing recruitment. No further significant reductions are expected for the Royal Navy or RAF. We still have some way to go to bring the size of the Army down to 82,000 and decisions on what is necessary to achieve this are yet to be taken, but we won't compromise the mission in Afghanistan."

 

Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir David Richards said: "I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere thanks to those who will be leaving the Services for their contribution to our Armed Forces and to the nation's security. Some of you may see redundancy as an opportunity. Others will see it as a significant challenge. Your chain of command will support you during the redundancy process, and I would encourage you to make full use of the comprehensive resettlement package as you make the transition to civilian life. I would also encourage those who are eligible to consider applying for transfer to shortage categories within any of the three Services."
 

Tranche 2 Redundancy details 

MaxYield Applications Of whom selected Volunteers  %      Exit date     Compulsory  %      Exit date   TOTAL

 

Royal Navy

300                   220              55%               120     71%          11 Dec 12           50        29%   11 Jun 13     170

Army

2,900                2610             90%              2,100  72%         11 Dec 12          800        28%  11 June 13  2,900

RAF

900                    890              58%             520      71%         11 Dec 12          210        29%   11 June 12    730

GRAND TOTAL

4,100              3,440              89%          2,740      72%                                 1,060       28%                      3,800

 



·            These redundancies are not new. The Strategic Defence Security Review announced a reduction of 17,000 posts from the Regular Armed Forces (5,000 each from the Navy and RAF and 7,000 from the Army). A further reduction of 12,000 to the Army was announced as a result of the Three-Month Exercise (3ME).

·            Maximum yields are the upper limit on the number of redundancies that each Service said they might require. The MOD announced the Tranche 2 maximum yields on 17 January 2012.

·            Tranche 2 is the last major tranche for the Navy, Marines and RAF. Theer is still some way to go to bring the size of the Army down to 82,000. Decisions on what is necessary to achieve this are yet to be taken.

·            The MoD says it has done everything it can to avoid redundancies. The RAF and Navy have not had to take their maximum yields as they successfully reduced recruiting and gave fewer extensions of service. The Army was not able to do this as it must continue to reduce to 82,000.  In Tranche 1 62% of those selected were applicants and this has risen to 72% in Tranche 2.

 

What happens now?

·            Personnel selected for redundancy will be told face to face by their chain of command.

·            Applicants will leave on or before 11 December 2012. Non-applicants will leave on or before 11 June 2012.

·            The MOD will publish a full breakdown of the applications and selections for Tranche 2 on the DASA website in due course.

·            Regional information will be included in this breakdown but it would be misleading to make any assumptions about regional job losses as individuals have been selected, not the posts they occupy.

 

Who is exempt?

·            Personnel who did not apply and are currently serving, preparing for, or recovering from operations where they receive an Operational Allowance, such as Afghanistan. Personnel recovering from serious injuries sustained on operations are also exempt.

 

What support is in place?

·            Every year around 24,000 personnel leave the Armed Forces. The MoD says that it  knows the transition into civilian life can be daunting which is why it has a robust resettlement programme which is used by the vast majority of personnel.

·            Historically, 92% of those who look for work are in full-time employment within 6 months of leaving, rising to 97% after 12 months.

·            An estimated 58% of those who have left under Tranche 1 have already found alternative employment within just 3 months.