Tory defence cuts shame

News that army personnel in Colchester will be forced into compulsory redundancy in the latest round of defence cuts has been condemned by Colchester Labour Party.

Colchester Labour Party Chairman Jordan Newell welcomed a House of Commons report which called the redundancies - which could see 2,860 military personnel laid off last year - 'grotesque'.

Mr Newell said:

"This Government thanks our military heroes by handing them a redundancy notice. I am disappointed that our MP, who is on the Defence Select Committee, has not been more vocal in standing up for those personnel who face being made redundant."

Labour's Shadow Defence Team recently launched a consultation on military resettlement, inviting former service personnel and their families to give their comments and experiences on making the transition from military to civilian life.

"With my own first hand knowledge of friends and relatives who have made that transition, I have already contributed to Labour's resettlement consultation and I would urge others to do the same, and share their views on how we can make that process better for our service personnel," Jordan Newell added.

Submissions can be made at: www.labourfriendsoftheforces.org.uk/resettlement-consultation