Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to commission an independent review of the compliance of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's maternity and parental leave policies with employment law.

A comprehensive funded programme to modernise all Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) supporting tools and policies is already underway, in collaboration with relevant Government Departments and stakeholders. There are no plans for an independent review.

The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act became law in April 2024 and the Ministry of Defence Policies have been updated, with appropriate consultation, to comply. Any legacy or existing RFA policy or process that is identified that may inadvertently or deliberately have scope to do so will be suspended and reviewed, in collaboration with expert stakeholders and our Maritime Trade Unions.