Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to help reduce the risk of members of the armed forces developing gambling disorders.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) takes problem-gambling seriously. We provide financial awareness training for our people so that they are enabled to make informed financial decisions. Defence also offers welfare support to those who are adversely affected by problem-gambling, which can include signposting to specialist support organisations such as the NHS Problem Gambling Clinic. Defence has also established a team to consider appropriate responses to addictions, including problem-gambling, under the remit of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which was published in June 2022. This team is commissioning a new gambling awareness and harm reduction service, due to start in April 2023, further developing our understanding of problem-gambling in the Armed Forces by supporting high quality academic research, engaging across government with policy experts from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, and developing additional appropriate clinical treatment pathways that will be delivered by Defence Primary Healthcare teams. Defence also blocks gambling websites on its networks in order to reduce their accessibility.