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Soldiers standing in for striking Border Force staff will wear their uniforms during passport checks at ports and airports, the Guardian can reveal.
Around 600 servicemen and women will wear combat gear as they provide cover for PCS union members who have voted for industrial action.
Soldiers are undergoing five days of training at locations in Folkestone and Heathrow before taking on jobs including checking passports and identifying trafficked children. Border Force guards usually receive at least three weeks of training.
Amid the increase expected in the next few weeks, troops can also expect to process people coming across the Channel in small boats.
Union sources hinted that strike action may be called during the festive period in a dispute over demands for a 10% pay hike, job security and redundancy terms.
That raises the prospect of hours-long queues at airports and ports over Christmas, when millions of people will travel cross-country and overseas to see their families and friends.
The revelations come after senior MoD officials warned the government that asking members of the armed forces to cover for striking workers this winter could leave military resources “extremely thin”.
The Home Office has also drawn up plans to use the army to cover firefighters who will be voted on next week on strike action. Health and safety officials are preparing a contingency strategy as ambulance drivers and paramedics look to join nurses on the picket line.
The government is able to use the Military Assistance to Civil Authorities Protocol (Maca) to keep key services running during major strikes.

Reacting to the development, John Speller, vice-chair of the Commons Defense Select Committee, said that uniformed officers should not be working at the UK’s borders.
“We should not use our overstretched armed forces, let alone wearing the King’s uniform, as temporary labor agencies for departments that cannot run their own affairs.
“The primary role of our armed forces is to protect our security and that of our allies and those who are fighting to defend our freedom,” he said.
Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS, said it was “outrageous” that the government was preparing uniformed military personnel with just a few days of training to break a legitimate strike.
“This cosmetic exercise to cover up the government’s failure to adequately pay its own workers will also impact post-strike manpower levels as courses for new recruits are being canceled so that trainers can train members of the armed forces instead.” said.
Days after the PCS successfully polled members on strike action, Home Secretary Suella Braverman appealed for military help in mid-November. Army personnel started training from November 21.
Border Force guards are usually trained for at least three weeks before interacting with the public. During the training, they learn how to process and interview passengers, identify victims of modern slavery, detect forged documents, identify suspected trafficked children and interrogate passengers.
On Tuesday morning, soldiers were seen heading to Home Office training facilities in Folkestone, Kent. Along with the Army, RAF staff are also being trained to work on the UK’s borders.
More than 42,600 migrants have arrived in the UK so far this year. The Defense Ministry said 426 migrants had traveled in seven boats on Monday – an average of 61 people per boat. According to officials, the overall average for 2022 is around 40.
It is understood that the MoD considers staffing levels before agreeing to allow the military to assist government departments.
A Home Office spokesman confirmed the troops would be in uniform.
“We are working closely with all UK ports and airports to ensure we have robust plans in place to minimize any delays should strike action go ahead. However, passengers should be prepared for potential disruption. We are working to meet critical demand and We will use appropriate resources to support the flow of passengers and goods through our borders.
“We always recommend that passengers check the latest advice from their operators before travelling,” they said.
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