BREAKING: MoD has put 20,000 personnel on standby for new "Covid Support Force".
• 150 troops are learning to drive oxygen tankers to supply hospitals
• Soldiers are preparing to "backfill" roles in police, prison service & border force
• Reservists could be called up
• 150 troops are learning to drive oxygen tankers to supply hospitals
• Soldiers are preparing to "backfill" roles in police, prison service & border force
• Reservists could be called up
MoD is in talks with Surgeon General about how personnel can boost NHS capacity/beds.
No options off table (incl. tent city/hospital ship), but converting hotels near hospitals likelier.
New Covid Support Force will be run from command & control hub at Aldershot, Hampshire.
No options off table (incl. tent city/hospital ship), but converting hotels near hospitals likelier.
New Covid Support Force will be run from command & control hub at Aldershot, Hampshire.
The MoD has factored in up to 20% of its new Covid Support Force falling ill with virus.
Some specialist personnel with essential skills will be put into quarantine to ensure they do not become infected (hampering ability to assist).
All R&R leave is cancelled.
Some specialist personnel with essential skills will be put into quarantine to ensure they do not become infected (hampering ability to assist).
All R&R leave is cancelled.
Ben Wallace, defence secretary, said: “The unique flexibility and dedication of the services means that we are able to provide assistance across the whole of society in this time of need...
“The Armed Forces are dedicated to getting the nation through this global pandemic.”
“The Armed Forces are dedicated to getting the nation through this global pandemic.”
Major General Charlie Stickland, said: “The Covid Support Force, potentially drawing upon our highly skilled scientists at DSTL or oxygen tanker drivers, will form part of a whole force effort to support the country during its time of need.”
A Written Ministerial Statement will be laid in the Commons tomorrow for the call out of members of the reserve forces.
This is a statutory requirement that allows reservists to be called up as & when required.
This is a statutory requirement that allows reservists to be called up as & when required.
