Soldiers step in to rescue Army recruiting

Up to 1,000 soldiers are being sent to Army recruitment offices after a privatised service to attract new personnel ran into difficulties.

Up to 1,000 soldiers are being sent to Army recruitment offices after a privatised service to attract new personnel ran into difficulties.

Many of the soldiers are returning to roles vacated by troops only last year when the Ministry of Defence awarded Capita a £440 million contract to run the service.

One officer in the Territorial Army, which is struggling to attract new recruits, described the situation as “madness”. Another military source said the term “strategic failure” was being used.

The need for reinforcements raises concerns over the Army’s handling of the ten-year outsourcing deal — a move that the Royal Navy and RAF decided not to replicate.

It will also call into question Capita’s ability to fulfil its side of the bargain.

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