UK armed forces in cash crisis

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/military/story/0,11816,1072357,00.html

Britain's armed forces are facing an unprecedented financial crisis, with the prospect of across-the-board cuts that could threaten future military operations.

So serious are the budgetary problems, say military sources, that a freeze on recruitment has been suggested but abandoned - apparently on the grounds it would be too embarrassing and send the wrong message.

Defence officials are frantically looking for other ways to cut running costs, such as holding fewer training exercises and reducing or delaying orders for equipment.

These could have a serious effect on operational effectiveness and morale, say defence officials. They add that savings on forthcoming long-term projects would not help solve the immediate crisis.

[barbaraann]

1. They could hold a bake sale.

:evilgrin:

[bif]

2. George will now ask for $87 billion for his lapdog

In Great Britain.

[Nihil]

4. Yeah right ...

Since when has Tony B.Liar's continual fellatio ever resulted in a
benefit to the UK (as opposed to further cost)?

"Sorry chaps, no more bullets but the commander-in-chief of USUK still
wants you to stay here and guard the oil pipelines. Any questions? No?
Jolly good - off you go then!"

Nihil

[soothsayer]

3. "bake sale" is my answer to EVERY monetary shortfall! lol

love it

[RedEarth]

5. No problem, let the US taxpayers cover the shortfall

Hell, we are paying for everyone else to be involved in Iraq, we might as well pay for the Brits to be there also. We can just add the cost to our ballooning deficit. No big deal, our growing economy will cover what ever they need.

[Purrfessor]

6. The parents of soldiers could volunteer as training assistants.

They could also sponsor ammunition drives and 10K walks, anything to help out at no cost to the government.

[LizW]

9. Gift wrap and assorted chocolates are always sure winners, too

edited 'cause I misread the original post.

[IndianaGreen]

7. Update Wed. 10/29/03: War costs blamed for defence cuts

War costs blamed for defence cuts

Richard Norton-Taylor
Wednesday October 29, 2003
The Guardian

The Ministry of Defence was under pressure last night to explain how it was proposing to solve an unprecedented financial crisis facing Britain's armed forces.

"Commitments are not being matched by resources, chickens are coming home to roost," said Bernard Jenkin, the shadow defence secretary, who predicted cuts in military spending.

"This crisis would appear to be the result of the monumental costs of the Iraq war," said Paul Keetch, the Liberal Democrat defence spokesman. "If the MoD runs on empty for an extended period, long-term damage will be done."

They were responding to the disclosure in yesterday's Guardian that defence officials were looking for ways to get round an immediate cash crisis as well as cuts in longer-term procurement projects.

The MoD has admitted it was discussing "adjustments" to its £31bn budget. Defence officials conceded this was a euphemism for cuts but refused to reveal the options they were considering.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/military/story/0,11816,1073054,00.html

[Corgigal]

8. They can do what we do here

by tossing the hard to educate kids out of the school system when they get into 10th or 11th grade. Per Texas and Florida they seem to be saving some money. Then later you can use those same people in the prison system for cheap labor.

Gee we Americans have to tell you guys everything.

[rooboy]

10. Here's an idea...

How about only fighting wars that MUST be fought? That should save a few hundred million.

[AP]

11. Hopefully, they'll use this to argue for EU army...

...however, I suspect that this is just an alarmist reaction from RW'ers in army and defense industry because Blair probably isn't letting enough money insensibly flow to fascist defense contractors quite like the Tories used to let it flow.