Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Armed Forces: Skills

Monday 26 June 2023 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Ministry of Defence published the Haythornthwaite review of armed forces incentivisation to address future skills needs.
  • The Haythornthwaite review recognises the need for a wider range of skills and attributes but does not commit to specific pilot schemes for neurodiverse individuals.
  • The MOD supports future engineers through 22,000 apprenticeships across various types and plans to advance defence personnel skilling.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Selaine Saxby
Defence
Context

The MP asks about steps being taken to ensure that the armed forces have the skills required for their future.

Question

What steps is the Department taking to ensure that the armed forces have the skills required for the future?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

The Ministry of Defence published the Haythornthwaite review of armed forces incentivisation last week. The MOD is working out how to implement its recommendations, which address the pressing need for a firm foundation in an increasingly skills-based future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps and implementation timeline were not provided.

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Q2 Mary Robinson Con
Defence Employment
Context

The MP asks about the status of considerations to recruit people with neurodiversity and suggests a pilot scheme.

Question

What is the status of considering recruiting people with neurodiversity? Will the MOD consider running a pilot scheme for neurodiverse individuals?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

The armed forces include many neurodiverse people. The Haythornthwaite review recognises that future defence will be different, requiring a wider casting of the net for skills and attributes. However, no specific commitment to pilot schemes was made.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No concrete plans or timelines for pilot schemes were provided.

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Q3 Selaine Saxby
Education Defence Employment
Context

The MP asks about steps to encourage more budding young engineers for technical education and work prospects.

Question

What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to encourage more budding young engineers to fulfil their technical education and work prospects in our armed forces?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

The MOD supports future engineers inside and outside the armed forces, delivering 22,000 apprenticeships across 100 different types at any one time. The Haythornthwaite review and the pan-defence skills framework will advance defence personnel skilling.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific steps or timelines were detailed for young engineers' support.

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Q4 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Defence Northern Ireland
Context

The MP asks about partnership opportunities for cyber-security firms with the MOD.

Question

Has the Minister given any consideration to ensuring that cyber-security companies work in partnership with the MOD, using skills found in private companies?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

The hon. Gentleman is correct about Northern Ireland's push for cyber-security. Haythornthwaite touches on zig-zag careers, suggesting closer working relationships between armed forces and industry in the future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific partnerships or plans were detailed.

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Q5 Luke Pollard Labour (Co-op) Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
Defence
Context

The MP notes declining satisfaction with service life among military personnel and asks about plans to restore morale.

Question

What is the Minister's plan to restore morale in order to retain essential skills, and does he expect higher or lower morale by the next general election?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

The armed forces continuous attitude survey shows that satisfaction with morale is similar now to 2007. However, satisfaction with kit has improved since then due to better provision.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific plan for restoring morale was detailed; comparison focused on historical figures.

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