House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
MOD’s Formal Response to the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces 2024 Annual Report
01 September 2025 · Ministry of Defence
Proposed by Alistair Carns Lab Birmingham Selly Oak
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The Ministry of Defence intends to establish an Armed Forces Commissioner in 2026 with enhanced powers.
- The MOD plans to create a new tri-Service Complaints team to handle serious allegations of bullying, harassment, and discrimination outside the chain of command.
- The response acknowledges the Ombudsman's recommendations and the MOD's commitment to improving the service complaints system.
Issue summary
The statement addresses the Ministry of Defence's formal response to the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces' annual report on the service complaints system.
Action requested
The MOD intends to establish an Armed Forces Commissioner in 2026 with enhanced powers and create a new tri-Service Complaints team to handle serious allegations of bullying, harassment, and discrimination outside the chain of command. The response also acknowledges the Ombudsman's recommendations and the MOD’s commitment to improving the service complaints system.
Key facts
- The Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces' annual report is for 2024.
- Two new recommendations were made by the Ombudsman in her report.
- An Armed Forces Commissioner will be established in 2026 with greater powers than the current Ombudsman.
- A tri-Service Complaints team will handle serious complaints of bullying, harassment, and discrimination for the first time.