Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Army: Size

Monday 19 February 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The latest figure for the full-time strength of the Army is 73,520.
  • The Army is continuing to work towards its "Future Soldier" structure of 73,000 regular and 30,000 reserve personnel.
  • The Government are sticking to the "Future Soldier" plan for 73,000 regular and 30,000 reserve personnel.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Scott Benton
Defence
Context

The question arises from concerns about the current size of the Army and potential steps to increase it.

Question

What steps he is taking to increase the size of the Army. The latest figure for the full-time strength of the Army is 73,520. There are no plans to change this target of 73,000 regular and 30,000 reserve personnel.

Answer from Andrew Murrison

The latest figure for the full-time strength of the Army is 73,520. The Army is continuing to work towards its “Future Soldier” structure of 73,000 regular and 30,000 reserve personnel. There are no plans to change this target.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Steps being taken to increase the size of the Army

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Q2 Scott Benton
Policing & Resources Defence Standards & Ethics
Context

Concerns about discrimination against white men in recruitment, relaxed security checks due to diversity promotion, and the impact of ideological pressures on national security.

Question

Will the planned review of diversity policies seek to address those concerns? Media reports suggest that white men have been actively discriminated against in recruitment, security checks may be relaxed for ethnic diversity promotion, and senior military figures warn about ideology threats to national security.

Answer from Andrew Murrison

I do not recognise the situation described. Security is taken seriously; personnel have appropriate clearance based on their job roles. Commonwealth candidates can accrue residency while serving but cannot take up higher vetting roles.

Not addressed: Addressing concerns over discrimination, security checks, and ideological pressures

How: I Do Not Recognise The Situation Described

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Q3 Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower
Defence
Context

Figures indicate a potential reduction in Army numbers to 67,000 by 2026 due to recruitment and retention issues. Concerns about threats increasing while cuts continue.

Question

Will the Minister commit to halting cuts to the Army? Figures show the British Army may shrink to as small as 67,000 by 2026 due to recruitment and retention crises. With growing threats, will he halt further cuts?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

The Government are sticking to the “Future Soldier” plan for 73,000 regular and 30,000 reserve personnel.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to halting Army cuts

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