Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what (a) retention bonuses and (b) golden handshake payments the Army uses; and whether his Department has made an assessment of their effectiveness.

The Army routinely implements Financial Retention Incentives (FRIs). There are twelve live Financial Incentives, one of which has not yet been implemented, supporting seven different cap badges, capabilities or specialities.

The Army currently has two current ‘Golden Hellos’, both aimed at The Royal Logistic Corps capabilities, specifically chefs and petroleum operators.

The Army continuously monitors the effectiveness of these schemes. Effectiveness is largely measured on take up rates as well as the number of Service Personnel who rescind a Notice to Terminate. This information is captured in a Post Project Evaluation.