The UK armed forces are not “spare capacity” for striking workers, the chief of the defence staff has said as he cautioned against relying on the military as the “ultimate backstop” during industrial action.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the head of Britain’s armed forces, said it would be “slightly perilous” to expect them to be used routinely in the event of strikes by public sector workers.
In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Radakin said the use of armed forces to provide cover for striking workers would not impede operations, but suggested personnel should be allowed to get on with their day-to-day jobs.
“We’re not spare capacity,” he said. “We’re busy and we’re doing lots of things on behalf of the nation. We’ve got to focus on our primary role.”
On Saturday, the Cabinet Office confirmed arrangements had been made to deploy 1,200 armed forces personnel to replace striking NHS ambulance and Border Force workers this week.
The number includes 600 ambulance workers and a further 150 personnel providing logistical support to military personnel driving ambulances during an ambulance staff strike on 21 December.
The army will also provide contingency cover for Border Force by checking documents and passports.
On Wednesday, David Williams, the Ministry of Defence’s top civil servant, said the department had identified up to 2,500 troops who could provide public sector support if needed.
Border Force staff have announced eight days of strikes from 23 December. The Public and Commercial Services union will mount the action at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Cardiff airports, as well as Newhaven port.
Service personnel could also serve as firefighters if members of the Fire Brigades Union back industrial action.
Radakin was clear that the military’s operational effectiveness would not be impeded by the plans, saying “we need to de-heat this debate”.
Striking paramedics and ambulance workers are staging a walkout over the government’s 4% pay award while Border Force workers are asking for a 10% pay rise.
On Saturday night, Steve Barclay, the health secretary, said his “number one priority is to keep patients as safe as possible” including by “making the best use of the armed forces, volunteers and freeing up capacity to mitigate disruption and ensure safe staffing levels”.
On Monday 20 December, nurses will strike across England, Wales and Northern Ireland for the first time in the union’s 106-year history.
The chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden, has said the government will remain “resolute” on pay for nurses despite the potential for further strikes in January.
• The caption in this article was amended on 18 December 2022. Admiral Sir Tony Radakin is chief of the defence staff, not transport secretary as an earlier version said.
