Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to encourage recruitment to the armed forces in (a) Worcestershire and (b) the UK.

The Armed Forces recruit nationally and do not operate a specific policy of increasing recruitment from particular geographic areas. Armed Forces Career Offices (AFCO) are spread across the UK including six in the Midlands. AFCOs are complemented by dedicated call centres and online recruiting operations, ensuring that all communities have the same recruitment opportunities. During the pandemic, the Armed Forces have conducted COVID-secure outreach programmes and virtual careers events, supported by web-based information services and social media campaigns.