Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department offers support to people with neurodiversity conditions to help them join the UK armed forces.

The Ministry of Defence values diversity and is committed to recruiting and retaining the best people possible. We are extremely proud of the wide-ranging make up of our Armed Forces, including the many neurodiverse Service personnel within our ranks.

It is important that our Armed Forces reflect the society they serve and benefits from the talent that is available. It is also essential that all new entrants to the Armed Forces have the capacity to serve in all respects for the period of their engagement, ensuring operational efficiency, safety for the individual and safety for others. Consequently, there are a number of conditions that are a bar to Service. The health and medical history of all individuals, as an Armed Forces applicant or a Serving person, is considered on a case-by-case basis.

Candidates with Specific Learning Difficulties (SLDs), including Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Dyspraxia, can serve in the Armed Forces, if they meet the selection, training and performance standards. Service personnel with SLDs are provided with support appropriate to their needs, where feasible within Service and resource constraints. Training courses delivered by Defence are designed to be accessible to Service personnel with a range of differing requirements, including SLDs. Instructional staff are all provided with training on the best methods for teaching people with SLDs.

While other conditions such as Autism and ADHD may be a bar to Service entry, this is not automatically the case. Every application is considered on a case-by-case basis by recruiting clinicians, who will make an individual assessment of the condition, its severity and the need for treatment. If an application is rejected on medical grounds, a candidate can appeal the decision to the recruiting Service, providing additional medical evidence if required.

There is also an executive waiver process where the employing Service may, exceptionally, recruit someone who does not meet the existing entry standards. This may include individuals with unique specialist skills. This would also be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Entry requirements are kept under continual review. This ensures they are fair to everyone with aspirations of an Armed Forces career and are informed by the latest evidence.