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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Politics
Harry Taylor

Lack of dental check-ups partly behind undeployable troops numbers – ex-minister

James Heappey stood down as a Conservative MP before July’s election (PA/Victoria Jones) - (PA Archive)

A lack of dental check-ups are responsible for a number of the more than 10,000 members of the armed forces who are unable to be deployed due to being deemed medically unfit, according to a former defence minister.

James Heappey, who served as armed forces minister under three Conservative prime ministers, said the personnel are automatically categorised as unfit if they have not had the appointment in the last six months.

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