Armed Forces: Females

(asked on 7th May 2019) - View Source

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion recruits to the armed forces in 2018 were female.


This question was answered on 14th May 2019

In the 12 months to 30 September 2018, 1,320 female personnel joined the UK Regular Forces, which was 10.9 per cent of the total intake.

Data on female intake into the UK Regular Forces is published twice a year in the UK Armed Forces Biannual Diversity Statistics publication. Figures up to 1 October 2018 were published on 13 December 2018 at:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/763676/1_October_2018_Biannual_Diversity_Statistics.pdf

The Ministry of Defence is working to achieve a more diverse and inclusive workforce at all levels, including through increased female representation. This work includes better understanding and greater engagement with potential female recruits; targeting recruitment campaigns; supporting candidates through the recruitment process; opening all roles within the Armed Forces to women; and enabling Service personnel to request fixed periods of part-time working, or varying their deployability, if operational requirements allow it, to better fit their service career around family life.

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