Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Armed Forces: Skills for the Future

Monday 20 November 2023 · 4 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministry of Defence published the Haythornthwaite review in June 2023 to attract and retain skills in the armed forces.
  • More than 95% of non-commissioned recruits across the armed forces are offered apprenticeships.
  • The Ministry of Defence engages with the devolved Administrations to align education and skills development requirements across the UK.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Duguid Con
Defence
Context

N/A

Question

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

Answer from Andrew Murrison

In June 2023, the Ministry of Defence published the Haythornthwaite review of armed forces incentivisation. Multiple teams are being stood up across Defence to implement all 67 recommendations, working to establish a reward and incentivisation architecture that will attract and retain skills.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific steps or timelines for ensuring future skills in armed forces.

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Q2 Andrew Jones Con
Defence
Context

MOD is the biggest single employer of apprentices, with over 15,000 soldiers currently on the programme.

Question

Does he agree that the apprenticeship scheme is not only bringing in future talent, but ensuring that those individuals have the skills for the remainder of their lives?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and I enjoyed my relatively recent visit to Harrogate. More than 95% of all non-commissioned recruits across the armed forces are offered apprenticeships mapped to their training.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While agreeing with the statement, he did not provide additional information or statistics about long-term benefits of the scheme.

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Q3 David Duguid Con
Defence Local Government
Context

Given that defence is reserved and education/skills are devolved.

Question

What discussions is my right hon. Friend having with the devolved Administrations to ensure that the skills needed by our British armed forces are being developed across our whole United Kingdom?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

The Ministry of Defence actively engages with the devolved Administrations to align education, skills and development, using the UK-wide pan-Defence skills framework to ensure requirements are met across the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not provide specifics on discussions or plans for alignment.

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Q4 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Northern Ireland
Context

Beyond the Battlefield is a charity in Strangford that helps veterans with accommodation and skills development.

Question

I have extended an invitation to the Minister to come to Northern Ireland to visit Beyond the Battlefield, so I will extend that again. I think he will be impressed—I know I am—and he will see that what we do in Northern Ireland can be done elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

Answer from Andrew Murrison

It is always a joy to visit Strangford—one of the most beautiful places in these islands. I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman's invitation; I have it at the front of my mind and when I am in Northern Ireland I will ensure that I visit.

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to visiting Beyond the Battlefield or discussing their work with veterans.

How: It Is Always A Joy To Visit Strangford—One Of The Most Beautiful Places In These Islands.

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