Defence cuts 'compromise UK safety'

20:05, Dec 21 2012

The Archbishop of York has warned that defence cuts will compromise Britain's safety as he delivered his Christmas message to soldiers serving overseas. In an interview with British Forces Broadcasting Service, Dr John Sentamu said severe cuts to the armed forces would "risk the safety of the nation and the peace of the world". He also said plans to replace thousands of full-time soldiers with reservists was a bad idea as a "very well trained, professional service" needed to be maintained. The Archbishop said: "My greatest anxiety... is that these defence cuts need to be done with far, far greater sensitivity because we live still in a world that is very fragile and there are people out there still, wanting to do harm to ... many, many people. "To replace professionally trained, full time serving soldiers with part-timers, I'm afraid, for me, I don't think that can be the backbone of the British army." Story continues ADVERTISEMENT Describing them as "the bravest of the brave", the Archbishop paid tribute to British forces' role as peacekeepers in Afghanistan. He added that he continued to pray daily for the troops and that it was important that the nation remembered the sacrifices that were being made. The Archbishop has close links with the Yorkshire Regiment who lost 10 soldiers this year serving in Afghanistan. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has warned the Army will have to lose 20,000 regular soldiers by 2020. The number of full-time soldiers is set to fall from 102,000 to 82,000, while reservists will double to 30,000.

	� Briton to get space station mission
	� Second body found at blast house
	� Man in court after two children die
	� Abu Qatada makes Siac freedom bid
	� MPs to debate gay marriage plans
	� Tory leaders rally around Feldman
	� Man killed in house gas explosion
	� New laws 'open to abuse of power'
	� House asking prices reach new high
	� High inflation is 'here to stay'
	� Help offered to probation mutuals
	� Cameron calls for tax transparency
	� Four hurt in suspected gas blast
	� Cable denies plotting against Clegg
	� Five people hurt in gas explosion
	� One rescued following gas blast
	� Father admits killing children
	� One dead, two hurt in plane crash
	� 'One dead, two hurt' in plane crash
	� Politics of New Labour era 'over'

Top  Back