Armed Forces Personnel Recruitment 2023-11-20
2023-11-20
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
No specific background or incident was mentioned. The general concern is about the steps being taken by the Department to recruit armed forces personnel.
What steps his Department is taking to recruit armed forces personnel?
We remain committed to maintaining the overall size of the armed forces and recognise the importance of recruitment to achieve that. We are responding to immediate challenges with a programme aimed at increasing the breath of potential candidates and driving efficiencies in recruitment. Meanwhile, the services continue to meet all their operational commitments, keeping the country and its interests safe.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific measures or strategies for recruitment but acknowledged commitment and ongoing efforts.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP notes personal meetings with new recruits through the armed forces parliamentary scheme and acknowledges their dedication. However, there are still shortages in recruitment.
Since my election, I have met many new recruits during visits with the armed forces parliamentary scheme, and I have always been incredibly impressed by their sense of duty, their commitment to serve their country and their recognition of the great careers that lie before them, but we know that there are still shortages in recruitment. How can my right hon. Friend ensure that all parts of the armed forces recruit the right number of people, with the right mix of skills and experience to keep our nation safe in these increasingly dangerous times?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right that recruitment to the armed forces is mixed—some of it is good, some of it less good—across the western world. We are struggling to recruit people into our armed forces, and we must redouble our efforts. That is why we have had the Haythornthwaite review and the tri-service recruitment model, which I am convinced will plug the gaps that we have in skills and overall numbers.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific measures or strategies for addressing recruitment shortages but acknowledged ongoing reviews and models aimed at improving recruitment efforts.
Response accuracy