The armed forces are not a “backup capacity” for striking workers, the chief of defense staff has said, warning against relying on the military as the “best support” during industrial action.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the head of Britain’s armed forces, said it would be “a bit dangerous” to expect them to be used routinely in the event of strikes by public sector workers.
In an exclusive interview with The Telegraph, Admiral Radakin said the use of armed forces to provide cover for striking workers would not hamper operations, but suggested that staff should be allowed to continue with their day-to-day work.
“We’re not free capacity,” he said. “We are busy and doing many things in the name of the nation. We have to focus on our main role.”
Last night, the Cabinet Office confirmed that arrangements had been made to deploy 1,200 armed forces personnel to replace striking NHS ambulance drivers and Border Force officers this week, costing around £5.6m a week.
The number includes 600 drivers and another 150 staff providing logistical support to military personnel operating ambulances during the strike by 999 workers on 21 December.
The Army will also provide contingency cover for the Border Force through document and passport checks.
On Wednesday, David Williams, the Defense Department’s top civil servant, said the department had identified up to 2,500 soldiers who could provide support to public services if needed.
Border Force officers have announced eight days of strikes at Britain’s biggest airports from December 23, leaving Christmas travelers facing holiday flight delays.
The Public and Commercial Services Union will organize action at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Cardiff airports, as well as Newhaven port.
Maintenance staff can also serve as firefighters if members of the Fire Brigades Union support strike action.
Admiral Radakin was adamant that the military’s operational effectiveness would not be hampered by the plans, saying “we need to turn down the heat on this debate”.
“We answer to the government, we serve the nation,” he said. “We are being asked to do some things. We can take this in our stride.
“It affects people and we have to recognize that. But all the operations that we’ve planned, all the things that we’re doing, they’re going on as you would expect.
However, he admitted that looking at the military as “the best” would be “an unusual position to be in.”
“It would be a little dangerous to rely on the defense to do all those things as the best defense [but] we are miles apart [this having] impact on operational efficiency,” he said
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