Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will fully implement the recommendations of the Atherton report.

Following the July 2021 House of Commons Defence Committee report into Women in the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence has delivered a range of initiatives to improve the experience of women in the Armed Forces.

Key actions have been taken to combat unacceptable sexual behaviour, with two Zero Tolerance policies and a Sexual Exploitation and Abuse policy; improvements have been made to women’s health and wellbeing with new policies on menopause and breastfeeding, emergency sanitary provision, sports bras and a urinary support device; together with improved female fit uniform and equipment (including body armour); greater career flexibility; and improved access to childcare through the Wraparound Childcare scheme.

Related work has reformed the Service Complaints System to improve confidence and efficiency. The Service Justice System is more victim focussed, having established the Defence Serious Crime Unit and the Victim and Witness Care Unit in 2023.

The Raising our Standards Team will continue to focus on driving more inclusive behaviours. In addition, new initiatives are being developed on women’s health to better prepare them for arduous training as well as an increased focus on bringing a gender perspective to the future development of existing equipment and uniform.

The Armed Forces Commissioner Bill will establish an independent champion for our Serving personnel and their families. This a new, unprecedented post that will serve as a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families to raise general service welfare matters.