WHY A UKNDA? THE NEED FOR A UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL DEFENCE ASSOCIATION (UKNDA)
The fundamental problem to be addressed is that for many years now, defence has been, and still is, too low in the nation’s list of priorities. and therefore:
The Armed Forces are under funded for the tasks they are set and consequently over-stretched.
In 1984 the Defence budget was 5.3% of GDP. By the year 2000 that had almost halved to 2.7% and now the percentage is even smaller at just 2.2% or even lower.
It is self-evident that defence is unrealistically low in the Nation's list of priorities. Thus the Armed Forces are under resourced (under funded) for the tasks they are set.
This results in inter-Service wrangles as to who gets what of an inadequate budget.
Over tasking and under resourcing leads to over-stretch of the Forces and, from time to time equipment shortages and/or failures; these can, and do, result in unnecessary casualties.
All of the above lead to increasing pressures on the most important element of our Armed Forces - the men and women who day after day do the work, face the threats and risk their lives to defend us. These pressures on "our people" range right across the board – from increased stress and strain on our troops to worry and distress for their families.