Report: Soldiers cannot afford to eat
Published: May 11, 2008 at 6:01 PM
LONDON, May 11 (UPI) -- Many members of the British Army are living in poverty, with some forced to rely on emergency food voucher programs, a military report said.
The report, written for Gen. Richard Dannatt, the Chief of the General Staff, found that many are forced to leave the Army because they cannot afford to stay, The Independent reported.
Pressure from an undermanned army is "having a serious impact on retention in infantry battalions," with nearly half of all soldiers unable to take all their annual leave as they try to cover the gaps, the newspaper said.
"More and more single-income soldiers in ... are now close to the ... government definition of poverty," the report said.
It also reveals that "a number of soldiers were not eating properly because they had run out of money by the end of the month."
The newspaper said commanders are attempting to address the problem through "Hungry Soldier" programs, which allow destitute soldiers to be given loans to eat since they are no longer given three meals a day for free.
The report, written for Gen. Richard Dannatt, the Chief of the General Staff, found that many are forced to leave the Army because they cannot afford to stay, The Independent reported.
Pressure from an undermanned army is "having a serious impact on retention in infantry battalions," with nearly half of all soldiers unable to take all their annual leave as they try to cover the gaps, the newspaper said.
"More and more single-income soldiers in ... are now close to the ... government definition of poverty," the report said.
It also reveals that "a number of soldiers were not eating properly because they had run out of money by the end of the month."
The newspaper said commanders are attempting to address the problem through "Hungry Soldier" programs, which allow destitute soldiers to be given loans to eat since they are no longer given three meals a day for free.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
» Next in Top News:
Seoul mulls aid package for North Korea
U.S. President George W. Bush visits the Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem on May 16, 2008. (UPI Photo/Amos Ben Gershom/Israeli Government Press Office)
U.S. President Bush visits Israel
Full Photo
| Slideshow
Latest Headlines
Most Popular