Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Armed Forces Readiness

Monday 25 March 2024 · 5 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 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK armed forces are meeting all commitments but remain busy due to extensive demands.
  • Government is investing 1.95 billion extra in resilience and readiness of the armed forces.
  • Time between expressing interest in joining the armed forces and starting training needs to be shortened.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ian Blackford SNP
Defence
Context

The UK armed forces are meeting their commitments but are very busy during a turbulent geopolitical time.

Question

What progress has been made on improving the readiness of the armed forces? The shadow Secretary of State commended the efforts of all those in the armed services, but the Defence Committee's report substantiates that our armed forces are constantly overstretched and being deployed above their capacity. When will the Government appropriately respond to geopolitical challenges by driving up recruitment and retention?

Answer from James Heappey

The UK armed forces are meeting all commitments but remain busy. The Government is investing £1.95 billion extra in resilience and readiness, with services getting back into warfighting business. However, the world's complexity means extensive demands on the armed forces.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timelines for driving up recruitment and retention were not provided

How: The Answer Discussed Broader Geopolitical Context Rather Than Addressing Recruitment Specifics

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Q2 Ian Blackford SNP
Defence
Context

Richard Drax questions the idea that current armed forces are ready to fight a sustained war given the threats they face.

Question

Acknowledging the Defence Minister's service, Richard Drax challenges the notion of being ready for war with existing armed forces. He cites increasing threats and asks if more money needs to be spent on defence.

Answer from James Heappey

Colleagues will note that when invited to respond, Defence Ministers have not missed the opportunity. The Government's responsibility is to reinvest in warfighting capability, given the current 'pre-war era'.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No direct commitment to increased funding was made

How: The Answer Emphasized The Need For Investment Without Committing

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Q3 Richard Drax Con
Defence
Context

A recent exercise showed that British Army would run out of ammunition within 10 days, raising concerns about readiness.

Question

Why did it take from March or April 2022 to July 2023 for orders on new munitions to be placed? The delay cannot affordably continue in the Ministry of Defence.

Answer from James Heappey

The contract has been placed, significantly increasing .155 supply. However, I am not aware of the specific exercise referred to and have seen US senior commanders hold UK elements in high regard.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No timeline for addressing delays was provided

How: Discussion On High Regard From American Commanders

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Q4 John Spellar Lab
Policing & Resources Defence
Context

The Minister mentioned the 'ludicrous' recruitment system, noting that a generation used to instant gratification is not prepared for long wait times.

Question

Joining tributes to the outgoing Armed Forces Minister, Mark Francois references problems with recruitment identified by the “Ready for War?” report. He asks when the 'Crapita' will be sacked.

Answer from James Heappey

Recent months have seen record expressions of interest in joining the armed forces due to geopolitical uncertainty. The time between expressing interest and training needs to be as short as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific action date was provided for addressing recruitment issues

How: Acknowledgment Of Record Expressions Of Interest

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Q5 Mark Francois Con Rayleigh and Wickford
Defence
Context

Drax challenges the idea that current armed forces are ready for sustained war with threats faced.

Question

Recognising the Defence Minister's service, Richard Drax questions if existing forces can sustain a prolonged conflict. He asks whether more funding is needed to ensure readiness.

Answer from James Heappey

Colleagues perceive the need for shortening time between expressing interest and starting training, but no specific commitment on increased funding was made.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No direct commitment to additional funding was provided

How: Acknowledgment Of Perceived Need Without Committing

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