Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of unfilled posts in the (1) British Army, (2) Royal Air Force, and (3) Royal Navy; and what percentage of understaffing these unfilled posts represent.

The Integrated Review and Spending Review (IR/SR) introduced greater flexibility in how Defence could employ its workforce types (Armed Forces Regular, Reserve, Defence Civilian and Contractors) which has made the continued use of a fixed workforce requirement for individual components of the Whole Force less appropriate. We are in the process of agreeing a new Indicative Planned Strength which will provide a clearer indication of the Armed Forces planned strength going forward. It will reflect the Whole Force Strategic Workforce plans that are currently being finalised and reflect the changes in organisational structure introduced following the IR/SR.