British army 'leaning on' under-18s to help fill its ranks

Junior soldiers during the passing out parade at Uniacke Barracks in Harrogate. Almost 30% of new army recruits are under-18s Photograph: Bethany Clarke/Getty ImagesBritain’s stretched army is increasingly relying on 16- and 17-year-olds to fill its ranks, the youngsters accounting for nearly 30% of those enlisted last year, the highest proportion since the start of the decade.Recruits are also more likely to come from poorer backgrounds, such as on the edges of cities in the north of Engl