Mike Penning joined calls for the Government to address the serious problem of experienced soldiers leaving the armed forces to join private security companies.

Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead, highlighted that it was not just special forces that were being lured away by private companies.

During the debate, Mike commented: “Experienced non-commissioned officers from the front-line infantry units are also leaving to join security companies. When I visited the Scots Guards in Amarah, the commanding officer told me that he was very worried that, when he returned to Germany, many of his senior NCOs would purchase their discharge and go back to Iraq to gain a massive increase in their salary, thus diminishing the regiment’s ability to train.”

After the debate Mike said: “This is a very serious problem as our brave soldiers find themselves working alongside private security officers who are being very highly paid, often for doing a less dangerous job. It is easy to see how tempting it must be to take up an offer of a job in the private sector.”

“Without these senior officers, our forces lose valuable experience which is not being handed down to new recruits. This weakens our forces position and leaves many young soldiers without the leadership and guidance they deserve.”