Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to review the contract with Capita for armed forces recruitment.

I can assure the noble Lord that the Army and Capita Recruiting Partnering Project, is being closely monitored.

A buoyant labour market with record employment rates, combined with significant demographic changes in society, represent a challenge to Army recruitment and retention. The Army needs to continuously adapt to this and is taking action to do so. It has been working closely with Capita on a recruitment improvement plan which is now being executed. Initial signs are promising and, prior to the transition to the new Defence Recruiting System, applications had increased this financial year.

The Ministry of Defence now expects Capita to deliver on improvements in converting these applicants to enlistees and will be monitoring progress closely in the coming months, including ensuring that the new Defence Recruiting System reaches full operating capability as quickly as possible.