Oral Answers to Questions

Jerome Mayhew Excerpts

Monday 19th February 2024 Commons Chamber

[Grant Shapps]

My hon. Friend will be interested to hear that I have a slightly different number. My number is that 106 of his report’s 110 recommendations have been accepted. Regardless of the exact figure, I entirely agree on the importance of making sure that armed forces families live in decent accommodation. When we ask armed forces personnel to fight abroad, they should live in good accommodation when they come home.

My hon. Friend is familiar with the steering group, which includes families, federations and the authors of his excellent report, and he will be pleased to hear that it meets again on 28 February.

[Jerome Mayhew (Broadland) (Con)]

6. What steps his Department is taking to tackle recruitment challenges in the armed forces.

[Sarah Atherton (Wrexham) (Con)]

7. What steps his Department is taking to recruit armed forces personnel.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Minister for Defence People and Families (Dr Andrew Murrison)]

In a challenging labour market, we continue to apply an array of measures to support recruitment and retention and to refine the armed forces’ offer. These include the biggest pay rise in 20 years, flexible service and an improved accommodation offer. The Haythornthwaite review has a key part to play, and teams have been stood up across the Ministry of Defence to implement all 67 recommendations, working to establish a reward and incentivisation architecture that will attract and retain the skills we need.

[Jerome Mayhew]

I am grateful for the Minister’s answer, but the quality of forces accommodation is also an important factor in both recruitment and retention. Will he consider giving local commanders greater agency in getting small repairs done locally if the national contractors fail to act quickly enough?