Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2024 to Question 8310 on Armed Forces: Applications, what the average length of time was for a person joining the Army to be vetted for a (a) counter-terrorist check, (b) security check, (c) enhanced security check and (d) developed vetting level in the latest period for which data is available.

Based on current data held, and subject to the information provided by the candidate, a Counter Terrorist Check, which is conducted only for overseas candidates, takes an average of eight to 10 weeks; Basic Checks (Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Disclosure Scotland and Access Northern Ireland (ANI)) takes on average two weeks; and Enhanced DBS takes on average four weeks. Developed Vetting (DV) is not recorded during the recruitment process as it is only completed, when necessary, once individuals have joined the Army.

The average length of time for vetting prospective personnel seeking to join the Army is not held in the format requested. The Army’s Recruiting Group is not required to record this information within the Recruiting Partnering Project contract with Capita.