Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Armed Forces Personnel: Recruitment

Monday 20 November 2023 · 2 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department committed to maintaining armed forces size through improved recruitment efforts.
  • Immediate recruitment challenges addressed with a programme to broaden candidate pool and enhance efficiency.
  • Haythornthwaite review conducted to address recruitment struggles in the armed forces.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rob Butler
Defence
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.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to recruit armed forces personnel?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific measures or strategies for recruitment but acknowledged commitment and ongoing efforts.

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Q2 Rob Butler
Defence
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific measures or strategies for addressing recruitment shortages but acknowledged ongoing reviews and models aimed at improving recruitment efforts.

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