Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Armed Forces Recruitment

Monday 8 January 2024 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Haythornthwaite review recommendations are being implemented across the Ministry of Defence to attract and retain armed forces personnel.
  • An internal transfer bounty scheme offers 7,500 to infantry private soldiers on successful transfer to the parachute regiment.
  • The Minister offered to write to a Labour MP with a detailed breakdown of the current difference between intake and outflow for the three services.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Will Quince Con
Defence
Context

The question concerns measures being taken to support recruitment and retention in the armed forces, focusing on financial incentives, flexible service options, and improved accommodation.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to recruit armed forces personnel. The Haythornthwaite review has a key part to play, with teams established across the Ministry of Defence to implement recommendations aimed at attracting and retaining skills in the armed forces.

Answer from Andrew Murrison

We continue to apply an array of measures to support recruitment and retention, including financial incentives, flexible service options, and improved accommodation. The Haythornthwaite review is key, with teams established across the Ministry of Defence to implement all 67 recommendations.

Answered
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Q2 Will Quince Con
Defence
Context

The question focuses on the recruitment efforts for the parachute regiment based at Merville barracks in Colchester, emphasizing financial incentives and local community support.

Question

Colchester is home to 16 Air Assault Brigade. What steps are being taken to promote recruitment into the parachute regiment? There is currently an internal transfer bounty scheme offering £7,500 to infantry private soldiers on successful transfer to the parachute regiment.

Answer from Andrew Murrison

There is an internal transfer bounty scheme offering a Haythornthwaite-compliant £7,500 to infantry private soldiers on successful transfer to the parachute regiment. This supports moving towards the future soldier structure and assists with recruitment.

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Q3 Derek Twigg Lab Widnes and Halewood
Defence
Context

The question highlights a crisis in retention and recruitment into the armed forces, seeking statistical details on intake versus outflow for all three services.

Question

Despite positive measures mentioned earlier, this year retention and recruitment into the armed forces is becoming a serious crisis. What is the current difference between intake and outflow for the three services?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

I am willing to write to the hon. Gentleman with a detailed breakdown per service, broken down into regulars and reserves. Across the western world, there is indeed a crisis in retention and recruitment, but measures such as increased pay are being implemented to address this issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Providing specific figures on intake versus outflow for each service was not addressed directly.

How: I Am Willing To Write To The Hon. Gentleman With A Detailed Breakdown Per Service, Broken Down Into Regulars And Reserves.

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