Andrew Clifford is a journalist at The Sentinel Current with a diploma in journalism. Based in Tyne & Wear, he specialises in crime reporting and amplifying voices in the community. Andrew follows The Sentinel Current’s editorial guidelines to provide accurate and balanced news coverage.
- Andrew Cliffordhttps://www.thesentinelcurrent.com/author/adminandrew/
- Andrew Cliffordhttps://www.thesentinelcurrent.com/author/adminandrew/
- Andrew Cliffordhttps://www.thesentinelcurrent.com/author/adminandrew/
- Andrew Cliffordhttps://www.thesentinelcurrent.com/author/adminandrew/
Table of Contents
Sunderland MP Lewis Atkinson has highlighted the drop in recruitment for the UK armed forces in the North East
During a debate in Westminster for Armed Forces Week, Mr Atkinson praised a number of Sunderland organisations including the Southmoor Academy cadet units and reserves at the Rifles & Medical Regiment in Seaburn. The recent Strategic Defence Review highlighted the need to increase the number of cadet forces to build connections to young people.
North East Trend
Mr Atkinson highlighted that the local authority has 11000 veterans which is 5% which is a higher proportion of the national average for England and Wales which is 3.8%.
However he noted that recent statistics for Sunderland Central show that around 10 people per year have joined each service, with 11000 veterans across Sunderland, there is a drop in numbers.
Mr Atkinson’s focus in the North East is particularly relevant as the large veteran community can face unique challenges in terms of health and well-being, which could impact future recruitment
Recent Statistics
According to recent statistics, the British Army has seen a dramatic decline in personnel numbers in 2025 the army is aiming to receive approximately 198,000 applications, with historic trends suggesting a a struggle to retain personnel. As of January 2025 the Army’s full-time trade-trained strength was 71,151 a 2.8% decrease from January 2024
According to figures from Forces News in May, there was a 19% increase in people joining the regular forces between April 2024 and March 2025 which equates to 13,450 an increase of 2,150.
What Next
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) are addressing the issue by increasing spending on advertising and personal accommodation together with the recent Armed Forces Pay Review Body report in 2025 which highlighted the need for an increase in pay for some personnel.