Iraq and Afghanistan troops under pressure as more resign fr

Iraq and Afghanistan troops under pressure as more resign from Forces

By Aislinn Simpson
Last Updated: 2:48AM BST 30/05/2008

Almost a thousand servicemen have left the Armed Forces since the start of the year, prompting fears for the safety of troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Government figures released on Thursday showed that the number of full-time trained personnel leaving the services had accelerated.

From January to April 1, provisional figures showed that staff levels had fallen from 174,910 to 173,960, leaving the Armed Forces more than 5,000 troops short of its own target. The casualty rate in Iraq and Afghanistan, where the 97th soldier died this week, and the low pay of infantry soldiers have been identified as factors persuading recruits to leave early.

The latest losses represent a significant increase in the rate of departure from the Armed Forces. In the period between last October and January this year, the number of full-time service personnel increased by 130. The figures follow a report by the Commons Defence Committee, which said earlier this year that it was “deeply concernedâ€