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British Army troops leaving Germany after 70 years British Army troops leaving Germany after 70 years
(about 5 hours later)
After 70 years, British troops are leaving Germany in one of the biggest moves undertaken by the Army in decades.After 70 years, British troops are leaving Germany in one of the biggest moves undertaken by the Army in decades.
Six regional hubs in England will host 39,000 troops and their families by 2020, as part of a wider defence shake-up, with a further 4,000 in Edinburgh and Leuchars.Six regional hubs in England will host 39,000 troops and their families by 2020, as part of a wider defence shake-up, with a further 4,000 in Edinburgh and Leuchars.
Former defence secretary Philip Hammond described it as the "end of an era", but with the largest numbers yet to be repatriated since the scheme began in 2010, what will the impact be on communities in England as well as those families leaving German bases behind? Former defence secretary Philip Hammond described it as the "end of an era", but with some of the largest numbers yet to be repatriated since the scheme began in 2010, what will the impact be on communities in England as well as those families leaving German bases behind?
"There are families that know nothing other than the support structures in Germany," said Col Neil Page."There are families that know nothing other than the support structures in Germany," said Col Neil Page.
"Most of the army trickles people through [Germany], but in some regiments, once you're in a unit you're likely to stay there.""Most of the army trickles people through [Germany], but in some regiments, once you're in a unit you're likely to stay there."
Col Page is a member of the Army Basing Team, which is responsible for bringing 20,000 troops and their families home by the end of the decade, in a move designed to save money and improve operational capabilities.Col Page is a member of the Army Basing Team, which is responsible for bringing 20,000 troops and their families home by the end of the decade, in a move designed to save money and improve operational capabilities.
"There's lots of families involved and we have to make sure there's health, and education provision in there," he said."There's lots of families involved and we have to make sure there's health, and education provision in there," he said.
The 5 Rifles Company is set to start moving from Paderborn to Bulford on Salisbury Plain in the summer.The 5 Rifles Company is set to start moving from Paderborn to Bulford on Salisbury Plain in the summer.
Sgt Russell Potter, of the battalion, and his wife Stefanie said there would be a "little bit of disappointment" in leaving Germany, but many families would treat it as "an adventure".Sgt Russell Potter, of the battalion, and his wife Stefanie said there would be a "little bit of disappointment" in leaving Germany, but many families would treat it as "an adventure".
"You've got all your friends. It's not like you're moving places where you're not going to know anyone," Mrs Potter said."You've got all your friends. It's not like you're moving places where you're not going to know anyone," Mrs Potter said.
With so many troops moving back to the UK though the challenge is not only one for the army.With so many troops moving back to the UK though the challenge is not only one for the army.
Staffordshire County Council is among several local authorities to send staff to Germany, to provide support for troops and their families as they gear up for the move.Staffordshire County Council is among several local authorities to send staff to Germany, to provide support for troops and their families as they gear up for the move.
Just over 1,000 troops, plus their families, from 1st Armoured Division Signal Regiment and 16th Signal Regiment will leave the Gütersloh and Rhine garrisons behind to join 22 Signals at Stafford's Beacon Barracks.Just over 1,000 troops, plus their families, from 1st Armoured Division Signal Regiment and 16th Signal Regiment will leave the Gütersloh and Rhine garrisons behind to join 22 Signals at Stafford's Beacon Barracks.
Many of them are young families and that means extra pressure on local services such as schools, housing, hospitals, dentists and GPs.Many of them are young families and that means extra pressure on local services such as schools, housing, hospitals, dentists and GPs.
In Stafford, extra schools are being built including the Veritas Academy, which will provide 420 primary places, 300 of which expected to be for Ministry of Defence (MoD) families. Secondary schools in the area are also being expanded.In Stafford, extra schools are being built including the Veritas Academy, which will provide 420 primary places, 300 of which expected to be for Ministry of Defence (MoD) families. Secondary schools in the area are also being expanded.
Yateen Bhoola, executive head teacher of the Veritas Academy, said the school had a liaison officer based in Germany and had sent other staff over.Yateen Bhoola, executive head teacher of the Veritas Academy, said the school had a liaison officer based in Germany and had sent other staff over.
"It's really for us to be able to get to know the children, the families, so by the time they arrive in September we've got all the support structures in place so if there are children with special educational needs, all of that will already be in place," he said."It's really for us to be able to get to know the children, the families, so by the time they arrive in September we've got all the support structures in place so if there are children with special educational needs, all of that will already be in place," he said.
"We know the transition could be quite unsettling, because it's another new environment for the children.""We know the transition could be quite unsettling, because it's another new environment for the children."
The Stafford viewThe Stafford view
"I think it could work two ways," resident Julie Green said."I think it could work two ways," resident Julie Green said.
"It'll bring trade to the town, but I'm not sure how it will affect other things, particularly the hospital. We've already lost the maternity unit."It'll bring trade to the town, but I'm not sure how it will affect other things, particularly the hospital. We've already lost the maternity unit.
"The roads are already a bit of a nightmare, particularly around Beaconside.""The roads are already a bit of a nightmare, particularly around Beaconside."
Allan Preece said the troops' arrival will "improve things greatly".Allan Preece said the troops' arrival will "improve things greatly".
"Families will spend money in the town," he said. "They've known about this for some time, so I don't think there will be any problems.""Families will spend money in the town," he said. "They've known about this for some time, so I don't think there will be any problems."
Les Jones said while the move would have a "positive impact" on the local economy, it would be offset by the number of students leaving as part of Staffordshire University's move to Stoke-on-Trent.Les Jones said while the move would have a "positive impact" on the local economy, it would be offset by the number of students leaving as part of Staffordshire University's move to Stoke-on-Trent.
About 2,400 students are expected to quit Stafford by 2016.About 2,400 students are expected to quit Stafford by 2016.
"I'm sure it will improve spending in the town centre, but what about the hospital?" Sharon Marks asked."I'm sure it will improve spending in the town centre, but what about the hospital?" Sharon Marks asked.
"They've shut maternity and paediatrics, and many of those coming will be young families.""They've shut maternity and paediatrics, and many of those coming will be young families."
Of the six areas of England to see troops arrive under the army's Borona basing project, Wiltshire will see the biggest influx.Of the six areas of England to see troops arrive under the army's Borona basing project, Wiltshire will see the biggest influx.
By 2020, 15,000 troops will be based on Salisbury Plain. The army's plans will see an extra 4,300 personnel, including 5 Rifles, move into the area, as well as about 3,300 dependents.By 2020, 15,000 troops will be based on Salisbury Plain. The army's plans will see an extra 4,300 personnel, including 5 Rifles, move into the area, as well as about 3,300 dependents.
Wiltshire Council, however, is an old hand at this.Wiltshire Council, however, is an old hand at this.
"We learned the hard way," leader Jane Scott said."We learned the hard way," leader Jane Scott said.
"We had a large military presence, but it wasn't working well. Families would move away and schools would empty and we'd have no prior knowledge. Equally 100 children might suddenly arrive.""We had a large military presence, but it wasn't working well. Families would move away and schools would empty and we'd have no prior knowledge. Equally 100 children might suddenly arrive."
Nine years ago a military-civilian board was set up to improve communication.Nine years ago a military-civilian board was set up to improve communication.
This time round, Wiltshire expects an influx of 1,400 school-age and 800 pre-school children.This time round, Wiltshire expects an influx of 1,400 school-age and 800 pre-school children.
Two new primary schools are being built, as well as an extension at a third. Extra secondary school places are also planned.Two new primary schools are being built, as well as an extension at a third. Extra secondary school places are also planned.
"Every child needs to have a school place. We need to know about any child with special educational needs," Mrs Scott said."Every child needs to have a school place. We need to know about any child with special educational needs," Mrs Scott said.
"There also need to be enough maternity beds, enough capacity in A&E.""There also need to be enough maternity beds, enough capacity in A&E."
The MoD is investing £1.8bn in the overall re-basing programme, plus funding from the Department for Education and other governmental departments.The MoD is investing £1.8bn in the overall re-basing programme, plus funding from the Department for Education and other governmental departments.
In Stafford, the £150m work will see new barracks accommodation, offices, workshops, shops and leisure facilities.In Stafford, the £150m work will see new barracks accommodation, offices, workshops, shops and leisure facilities.
Developer Lovell Partnerships is currently building 346 homes as part of a £51m MoD contract, which director John Leary described as "clearly significant" for the firm.Developer Lovell Partnerships is currently building 346 homes as part of a £51m MoD contract, which director John Leary described as "clearly significant" for the firm.
Troop relocationTroop relocation
In terms of scale, the only equivalent in recent years is the withdrawal from Afghanistan.In terms of scale, the only equivalent in recent years is the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Col Page said: "It's difficult to say which is more challenging. Afghanistan is an operational base, with a terrific amount of logistics and equipment, as well as troops.Col Page said: "It's difficult to say which is more challenging. Afghanistan is an operational base, with a terrific amount of logistics and equipment, as well as troops.
"But in Germany it's quite different, because there's lots of families involved.""But in Germany it's quite different, because there's lots of families involved."
According to the government, bringing troops back from Germany is expected to save £240m a year in running costs.According to the government, bringing troops back from Germany is expected to save £240m a year in running costs.
But that could just be the tip of the financial iceberg.But that could just be the tip of the financial iceberg.
In 2004, the 25,000 troops stationed in Germany were estimated to contribute 1.5 billion Euros a year to the economy, either through jobs, contractors or spend in local shops.In 2004, the 25,000 troops stationed in Germany were estimated to contribute 1.5 billion Euros a year to the economy, either through jobs, contractors or spend in local shops.
Staffordshire County Council believes such benefits will be felt in the UK, with the extra troops at Beacon Barracks expected to bring in an extra £90m to the wider West Midlands economy as well as 700 jobs.Staffordshire County Council believes such benefits will be felt in the UK, with the extra troops at Beacon Barracks expected to bring in an extra £90m to the wider West Midlands economy as well as 700 jobs.