British Army rejects over 200 recruits a day despite troop numbers hitting their lowest level since the Napoleonic era

The Army turned away 74,000 applicants in 2024-25 — up 20,000 on the previous year — even as it missed its recruitment target of 10,450 troops by nearly 4,000. Applications surged past 162,000, a rise of more than 40 per cent, yet the Army still cannot fill its ranks, with full-time trained soldiers numbering only 75,000. Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge accused Labour of kicking plans for higher troop numbers 'into the long grass' as Russian threats against Britain intensify.

Over 32,000 applicants were rejected on medical grounds alone, with disqualifying conditions including psoriasis, diabetes and serious food allergies.

Almost 22,000 Commonwealth applicants were turned away due to a rule capping foreign recruits at just 1,350 per year, despite Commonwealth candidates making up 41 per cent of applications.

More than 360 applicants were still rejected for tattoos or piercings, even though the Army relaxed its tattoo rules over a decade ago.