Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 57929 on Armed Forces: Recruitment, whether the Department plans to set out (a) specific targets and (b) timelines for improving recruitment and retention in each of the Armed Forces branches.

The current Government inherited a crisis in recruitment and retention from the last administration. We have made a series of announcements to improve Armed Forces recruitment and retention.

We are committed to maintaining the high standards of recruitment needed to build and maintain battle winning Armed Forces while still accelerating the recruitment process. The Services are improving training to recruitment personnel to maintain rigorous standards and ensure recruits become operationally effective quickly. Additionally, they are improving the digital exchange of medical information with civilian GPs. While specific numerical targets and timelines have not yet been formally published, we have initiated a series of reforms aimed at addressing challenges in these areas.

In addition, from 2027 the new Armed Forces Recruiting Service will provide a streamlined, single-entry point for prospective recruits, with the aim of recruiting from the broadest spectrum of society to attract the best talent into the Armed Forces. It will replace individual Service schemes and will modernise and improve how people join the Armed Forces. It will be a key enabler in building the future force, ensuring that the British Armed Forces remain equipped with skilled, motivated, and capable personnel ready to meet evolving global challenges.