Mike,
Although I want to see the results of your reasoning (more people, and them in post for longer) I can't see that recruiting an employee who gets to work part time does either of those 2 things!
All that results is that the $#!tty front line deployments are filled by the same people each time while others get a cushty part time number back in blighty.
How on earth does that enhance personnel levels? The job that needs to be done is a permanent one. If a task can be done part time, then dis-establish the post and get a temp in. Use the savings to prevent more cuts.
This is ludicrous legality undermining the respect of the courts.