Oral Answers to Questions

John Grogan Excerpts

Monday 15th January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Ellwood]

I shall take this opportunity to explain that the absolute majority of the 14,000 who leave the armed forces every single year make the transition into civilian life without a problem. In fact, 90% or so are either in education or in a job within six months. However, some require support, and often that they do not know where to find that support. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State mentioned the armed forces veterans’ gateway, which is an important portal that opens up more than 400 military-facing charities that can provide that support for our deserving veterans.

[John Grogan (Keighley) (Lab)]

19. How many pilots have applied to leave the Royal Air Force in each of the last three years.

[The Minister for the Armed Forces (Mark Lancaster)]

A total of 145 pilots formally applied to leave the Royal Air Force in the last three financial years.

[John Grogan]

Does the Minister agree that the RAF needs to do everything possible to retain its experienced pilots, particularly in the light of competition from the civil sector? Will he look at the case of 100 experienced pilots who have been disadvantaged in relation to their peers by the latest change to pay and conditions?

[Mark Lancaster]

I absolutely recognise that we need to retain our experienced pilots, and of course a number of financial retention schemes are in place to do that. Equally, pilots have the choice as to whether or not they remain flying, by going into a specialist flying scheme, or stop flying, by going into the general scheme. Since the announcement that we would be buying nine P-8s, I have been deeply encouraged by the number of commercial pilots who have left the RAF and now want to re-join.