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<\/p>\nThe Army turned away the equivalent of more than 200 would-be recruits every day last year despite troop numbers plunging to a historic low.<\/p>\n
Almost 74,000 applications were rejected during the 2024\/25 financial year, around 20,000 more than the previous year, according to figures reported by The Times.<\/p>\n
The extraordinary rejection rate comes as the British Army struggles with historically low manpower and mounting pressure to bolster Britain’s military capabilities.<\/p>\n
Official MoD figures show applications to the Army’s regular forces surged to more than 162,000 in the year to March 2025 – up more than 40 per cent on the previous 12 months.<\/p>\n
But tens of thousands failed to make it through the recruitment process.<\/p>\n
More than 32,000 applications were rejected on medical grounds, potentially including conditions such as psoriasis, diabetes and serious food allergies.<\/p>\n
Restrictions surrounding hay fever, eczema and acne were relaxed two years ago as part of efforts to widen the recruitment pool.<\/p>\n
Almost 22,000 applications from Commonwealth countries were also rejected amid restrictions on the number of foreign recruits entering the Armed Forces.<\/p>\n
The MoD has acknowledged that the sharp rise in applications was largely driven by Commonwealth candidates, who accounted for 41 per cent of Army Regular Other Ranks applications in 2024\/25.<\/p>\n
The extraordinary rejection rate comes as the British Army struggles with historically low manpower<\/p>\n
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More than 360 applications were also rejected because of tattoos or piercings.<\/p>\n
The Army relaxed its rules more than a decade ago to permit tattoos on the neck and hands, although tattoos on the head and face remain prohibited.<\/p>\n
The rejection figures come as ministers face growing pressure over the size of Britain’s fighting force.<\/p>\n
Around 11,000 new soldiers are estimated to be needed each year to replace those leaving the services, with Britain having last reached that level in 2010.<\/p>\n
The Government’s Strategic Defence Review called for further reductions in Army numbers to end and proposed increasing personnel to 76,000 when funding allows.<\/p>\n
BRITAIN’S ARMED FORCES – READ MORE:<\/p>\n
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Around 11,000 new soldiers are estimated to be needed each year to replace those leaving the services<\/p>\n
| GETTY<\/p>\n
But an unfunded \u00a35billion commitment has since emerged in this year’s defence investment plan, raising questions over how the expansion will be paid for.<\/p>\n
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge accused Labour of pushing plans to increase personnel “into the long grass”.<\/p>\n
He said: “With Russia ramping up its threats every day, Labour needs to be growing the armed forces and strengthening our deterrence.<\/p>\n
“Instead, we have a chancellor unable to commit to the very target of 3 per cent defence spending that he previously resigned over.”<\/p>\n
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