Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Ministry of Defence Guard Service

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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Sarah Dyke asked the Minister about the potential impact of the operational MGS employment contract on applications for promotion in the Ministry of Defence Guard Service.
  • The Minister responded that there is no evidence to support the claim that the new contract is affecting promotion applications.
  • Sarah Dyke expressed dissatisfaction with the Minister's response, citing her constituent's long service and perceived disincentives to apply for promotion due to the new contract.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Dyke Lib Dem Glastonbury and Somerton
Defence
Context

The question arises from concerns about the disincentive effect of switching to new OMEC contracts, which reportedly involves additional work hours. This has led to a decrease in promotion applications and an increase in staff leaving.

Question

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of the operational MGS employment contract on applications for promotion in the Ministry of Defence Guard Service?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

There is no evidence—[Interruption.]

Not addressed: The question about recent assessments was not addressed, and there was an interruption in the response.

How: Interruption

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Q2 Sarah Dyke Lib Dem Glastonbury and Somerton
Employment Veterans
Context

A constituent has provided over a decade's service within the MOD Guard Service. They report that switching from legacy contracts to OMEC contracts discourages them and their peers from applying for promotion, citing additional work hours as a deterrent.

Question

I thank the Minister for his response but, respectfully, I do not find it sufficient. My constituent has provided more than a decade's service within the Ministry of Defence Guard Service. He reports that he and his contemporaries are disincentivised to apply for promotion, because it would mean switching to the new OMEC contracts from their legacy contracts and an extra six hours' work a week. Many are leaving. Will the Minister promise to investigate this issue thoroughly?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

I am grateful to the hon. Lady. The new way of working was passed through the trade union consultation process, of course, and in terms of pay, pension, leave and sickness benefits and working hours, the MOD Guard Service performs well, as I have said, against private security companies. That is why we appear to be recruiting and retaining well.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for a thorough investigation was not addressed.

How: General Principles

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