Head of UK Armed Forces pays tribute to personnel on duty over Christmas

The Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, has thanked troops caught up in the "unusual circumstances" of strike action.

Military cover for striking workers in a number of sectors was discussed at a Government emergency Cobra meeting earlier this week, with 750 military personnel set to cover ambulance strikes.

The head of Britain's Armed Forces began his speech at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) in London on Wednesday evening, by paying tribute to "those men and women from all three services who are on duty over Christmas, both at home and overseas".

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"We've seen today the Armed Forces are once more key to responding to tragic events, this time in the Channel.

"And the next few weeks we will be stepping in to fill vital public sector roles due to industrial action," Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said.

He added: "Whether it's the splendid ceremonial events that we saw earlier this year, or the critical work of driving ambulances, we serve the nation.

"So, a big thank you from me to those who will be away from home this Christmas, and especially to their families."

A campaign has been launched for military personnel called in to cover striking workers to get a daily bonus for their efforts.

Former commanding officer of 1st Battalion Scots Guards, Colonel (retired) Lincoln Jopp, says the bonus for covering Armed Forces personnel could come out of the money saved by Government departments not paying those on strike.

Earlier this week the Government disclosed that the Armed Forces have only 40 paramedics who would be qualified to work in the NHS.

Defence minister Dr Andrew Murrison said that of the 107 paramedics serving in the military, 40 have the qualification requirements set out by the Health and Care Professions Council.

The details, set out in a written answer to Liberal Democrat health spokeswoman Daisy Cooper, were disclosed as ministers prepare to deploy troops to cover for striking ambulance staff.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace called on the Labour front bench to tell their "union paymasters" to not go on strike over Christmas and "ruin the lives" of members of the Armed Forces.

Mr Wallace made the comment in response to a question from Labour shadow defence secretary John Healey.