Military recruitment and retention

#8 — UK Armed Forces face persistent capability shortfalls and an unresolved recruitment crisis

Defence Committee

Recommendation: There are multiple capability shortfalls within the UK Armed Forces. For that reason, we welcome the decision to maintain the Albion-class vessels in operational service until their out of service dates in the 2030s. However, we are also increasingly concerned …

Gov response: As a Government, we recognise the responsibility to ensure our Armed Forces have the right people in the right place with the right skills, both now and in the future. This is never more pressing …

Under Consideration

#78 — Significant pinch-point shortages in technical trades severely limit UK Armed Forces capability

Defence Committee

Recommendation: In November, the Secretary of State told us that recruitment and retention was an area of concern for him given that in September 2023 there had been “183 pinch points, of which 61 were assessed as having a significant or …

Gov response: As a Government, we recognise the responsibility to ensure our Armed Forces have the right people in the right place with the right skills, both now and in the future. This is never more pressing …

Not Addressed

#76 — UK Armed Forces face significant recruitment challenges competing for national talent

Defence Committee

Recommendation: The Chief of the Air Force highlighted the difficulty in recruitment presented by the UK labour market which had 1.3 million vacancies at the start of 2023.160 The First Sea Lord described the Armed Forces as being “in a battle …

Gov response: As a Government, we recognise the responsibility to ensure our Armed Forces have the right people in the right place with the right skills, both now and in the future. This is never more pressing …

Not Addressed

#75 — MOD acknowledges significant recruitment shortfall: five new personnel for every eight leaving.

Defence Committee

Recommendation: The MOD publicly concedes that for every eight service personnel who leaves, it currently recruits five people, although we understand the situation may have deteriorated further.159

Gov response: As a Government, we recognise the responsibility to ensure our Armed Forces have the right people in the right place with the right skills, both now and in the future. This is never more pressing …

Accepted

#73 — UK Armed Forces suffer significant net outflow and critical skill shortages in key areas.

Defence Committee

Recommendation: The Haythornthwaite Review (examined in the section below) found that in 2022 there was a net outflow (the difference between the number of people leaving and those joining) of 4,660 from the UK Armed Forces with the “overall voluntary outflow …

Gov response: As a Government, we recognise the responsibility to ensure our Armed Forces have the right people in the right place with the right skills, both now and in the future. This is never more pressing …

Not Addressed

#64 — Defence faces skills and capability shortages in medical, cyber, intelligence, and engineering professions.

Defence Committee

Recommendation: In July the Chief of the Defence Staff told us that, as well as in medical and health, there were also skills and capability shortages in cyber/digital127 and in addition, the MOD Annual Report and Accounts highlighted intelligence as a …

Gov response: As a Government, we recognise the responsibility to ensure our Armed Forces have the right people in the right place with the right skills, both now and in the future. This is never more pressing …

Not Addressed

#28 — Mishandling Modernised Accommodation Offer caused personnel grievance, impacting morale and retention.

Defence Committee

Recommendation: By mishandling the implementation of the Modernised Accommodation Offer (MAO), the MOD has created a situation in which groups of service personnel are now more likely to feel aggrieved, whatever form the scheme takes. With a limited supply of housing, …

Gov response: The MOD agrees with the conclusion at 28. Bringing the SFA estate back into MOD ownership presents new opportunities to develop an estate that reflects the wants and needs of our people into the future, …

Under Consideration

#20 — Single Living Accommodation failing to meet recruit needs adversely affects recruitment and retention.

Defence Committee

Recommendation: Single Living Accommodation (SLA) does not always meet the needs and expectations of today’s recruits, and this is having an adverse effect on recruitment and retention. (Conclusion, Paragraph 102)

Gov response: The MOD agrees with conclusion 20. Accommodation is a crucial component supporting our Service Personnel and is an ongoing priority to address as it is cited as an important factor affecting our ability to recruit …

Accepted

#14 — Prioritise retaining Typhoon workforce and securing export orders to bridge Tempest production gap.

Defence Committee

Recommendation: Retention of the existing Typhoon manufacturing workforce, made more challenging by dwindling production runs and the gap until full-scale production of Tempest is underway, must be a priority; and securing further Typhoon export orders to ensure a consistent pipeline of …

Gov response: GCAP is building on the Typhoon skills base to develop new industrial techniques and technologies, in both design and manufacturing. At the same time, the MOD continues to invest in Typhoon to maintain the Royal …

Accepted

#13 — Implement a holistic approach to recruit and retain a skilled GCAP defence workforce.

Defence Committee

Recommendation: Building and maintaining a skilled workforce will be crucial to GCAP’s success. With the defence industry facing fierce competition from other sectors for skilled workers, it is essential that a holistic approach is taken to recruitment and retention. GCAP offers …

Gov response: The Committee is right to emphasise the breadth of skills required to ensure GCAP’s success. Sustaining and growing the skills base is not only critical for delivery of the programme; it underpins the wider Defence …

Accepted

#15 — Ministry of Defence reviewing housing estate to address poor conditions and recruitment issues.

Public Accounts Committee

Recommendation: We raised concerns about the Ministry of Defence housing estate.26 The Chief Executive of the DIO told us that the Ministry is undertaking a review of the housing estate in order to address poor condition. As part of the review, …

Gov response: 3. PAC conclusion: Many departments’ property plans lack the information necessary to manage and maintain their portfolios. 3b. PAC recommendation: The Ministry of Defence should report to the Committee its plan for redeveloping its housing …

Accepted

#11 — Increased armed forces visibility and engagement positively impacts military recruitment and preparedness.

Defence Committee

Recommendation: This should also allow other departments, society and industry to be more aware of, and therefore more prepared for, the potential challenges ahead—relieving pressure on Defence to focus on its principal tasks during a national emergency or conflict. Greater visibility …

Gov response: The MOD’s purpose is to protect the nation, leading on defence and the use of the Armed Forces. It is working closely with other Government departments, including playing a leading role in the development of …

Accepted

#13 — Shortage of adult volunteers hinders cadet expansion, requiring improved support and remuneration.

Public Accounts Committee

Recommendation: The Council explained that each of the armed forces would decide how to accommodate more cadets, through a combination of increasing the size and number of cadet units. The RFCAs would then support the chosen approach.18 The Department said that …

Gov response: 2a. PAC recommendation: The Department should develop a plan by June 2026 (one year after the publication of the SDR) for increasing the number of Cadets which sets out how it will: • ensure that …

Accepted

#9 — Address criticisms on UK's lack of mass and NATO Article 3 failures with implementation timeline

Defence Committee

Recommendation: We were concerned to hear that the UK’s lack of mass is denuding its leadership in NATO. In addition, the lack of resourcing dedicated to the UK meeting its Article 3 commitments is a further failure of leadership. We recommend …

Gov response: As noted above, the Government has endorsed the SDR’s vision and accepted all of its 62 recommendations, including those around strengthening the UK’s offer to NATO. As recommended in the SDR, Defence is now moving …

Accepted

#8 — UK's lack of mass and capability delays undermine NATO First approach

Defence Committee

Recommendation: The Government has stated its intention to implement a NATO First approach. For this to be meaningful, it must implement SDR recommendations aimed at ensuring that the UK is a better Ally. Witnesses have highlighted a lack of mass, delays …

Gov response: As noted above, the Government has endorsed the SDR’s vision and accepted all of its 62 recommendations, including those around strengthening the UK’s offer to NATO. As recommended in the SDR, Defence is now moving …

Accepted

#20 — Poor quality accommodation significantly impacts defence personnel retention and engagement

Public Accounts Committee

Recommendation: The Department acknowledged that providing poor quality accommodation negatively impacts its personnel. Most significantly, it increases the risk that people leave the service earlier than they otherwise would.41 This is a serious risk given the problems with retention that the …

Gov response: 4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: May 2026 4.2 Following the publication of the Defence Investment Plan infrastructure requirements will be reassessed against departmental priorities. The department will write to …

Under Consideration

#17 — Department plans to fix F-35 personnel recruitment and retention, but full recovery takes time

Public Accounts Committee

Recommendation: The Department told us that it has plans in place to fix its recruitment and retention problems. The Department also told us that it has increased its recruitment of engineers significantly in the last two years. It has offered joining …

Gov response: 3.1 The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. 3.2 The government agrees with the requirement to address the known recruitment and retention challenges through a holistic approach but disagrees with the recommendation to produce a …

Not Accepted

#16 — Resolving F-35 engineering personnel shortages will take three to four years

Public Accounts Committee

Recommendation: The Department acknowledged that the shortages across all these roles were very important, with the Chief of the Defence Staff stating that personnel had been one of his top two priorities in his previous role as Chief of the Air …

Gov response: 3.1 The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. 3.2 The government agrees with the requirement to address the known recruitment and retention challenges through a holistic approach but disagrees with the recommendation to produce a …

Not Accepted

#15 — F-35 programme plagued by critical shortages of engineers, pilots, and flying instructors

Public Accounts Committee

Recommendation: The F-35 programme suffers from personnel shortages across a range of occupations. A 2024 review of the programme, by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA, formerly the Infrastructure and Projects Authority), stated that shortages of suitably qualified engineers …

Gov response: 3.1 The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. 3.2 The government agrees with the requirement to address the known recruitment and retention challenges through a holistic approach but disagrees with the recommendation to produce a …

Not Accepted

#14 — F-35 aircraft availability compromised by persistent personnel shortages and global support solution reset

Public Accounts Committee

Recommendation: The Department also set out the reasons for poor availability of aircraft. It accepted that shortages of personnel, particularly engineers, impacted aircraft availability, and would continue to do so until they were resolved.30 Furthermore, the Department told us that the …

Gov response: 2.5 Aircraft availability is dependent upon a number of factors including workforce, spares, infrastructure and supporting enablers. Now the department has a better understanding of operating and maintaining a fifth-generation aircraft, the number of aircraft …

Under Consideration

#4 — Prioritise investment to complete RAF Marham accommodation improvements much earlier than 2034 timescale.

Public Accounts Committee

Recommendation: Accommodation at RAF Marham is substandard, exacerbating issues with recruitment and retention. Despite the urgent need to address this, upgrades will not be completed under current plans until 2034. RAF Marham has been the main F-35 operating base since 2013, …

Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. will be reassessed against departmental priorities. The department will write to the Committee by 31 May 2026 to advise whether the current timescale for RAF Marham accommodation can …

Accepted

#3 — Produce radical plan to recruit and retain highly skilled F-35 personnel, including accommodation and pay.

Public Accounts Committee

Recommendation: The F-35 programme faces an unacceptable shortage of several types of personnel, including engineers, cyber specialists, pilots and qualified flying instructors. The Department acknowledges that there are significant shortages of engineers in the F-35 programme, and that this is an …

Gov response: The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. The government agrees with the requirement to address the known recruitment and retention challenges through a holistic approach but disagrees with the recommendation to produce a plan specifically …

Not Accepted

#15 —

Defence Committee

Recommendation: The development of new SSN facilities in Adelaide and Perth could pose a risk to workforce retention at the UK’s equivalent facilities in Barrow-in- Furness and Plymouth. The MOD must closely monitor workforce flow as the design and build of …

Response Pending

#5 —

Defence Committee

Recommendation: Defence faces particular challenges in recruiting and retaining space specialists. We were encouraged by the Minister for the Armed Forces’ support for a more flexible approach to recruitment and career management within Defence, and we support the use of secondments …

Gov response: A skilled and trained space workforce is fundamental to the delivery of Defence’s space ambition, promoting the domain as an attractive area of interest, while offering a range of opportunities to Whole Force personnel. Given …

Accepted

#34 —

Scottish Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The UK Shipbuilding Skills Taskforce’s report should identify the skills demands of the warship industry specifically, as well as steps that can be taken to meet those needs.

Gov response: 33 & 34: The scope of the UKSST aligns with the NSbS Refresh and it will therefore consider the skills requirements and know-how for the entirety of the shipbuilding enterprise, including the warship, commercial, workboat …

Under Consideration

#18 — Operational demands create personnel retention issues and growing capability shortfalls in services.

Defence Committee

Recommendation: Personnel need time to recover from operations, and time to train and develop new skills. But the demand of operations makes that harder to achieve. It is unsurprising that more people are leaving the Forces than joining them. All three …

Gov response: As a Government, we recognise the responsibility to ensure our Armed Forces have the right people in the right place with the right skills, both now and in the future. This is never more pressing …

Not Addressed

#143 — Growing capability shortfalls and overstretched personnel create vicious cycle in Armed Forces

Defence Committee

Recommendation: Personnel need time to recover from operations, and time to train and develop new skills. But the demand of operations makes that harder to achieve. It is unsurprising that more people are leaving the Forces than joining them. All three …

Gov response: As a Government, we recognise the responsibility to ensure our Armed Forces have the right people in the right place with the right skills, both now and in the future. This is never more pressing …

Accepted

#108 — UK Armed Forces face significant capability shortfalls and unresolved personnel recruitment crisis.

Defence Committee

Recommendation: There are multiple capability shortfalls within the UK Armed Forces. For that reason, we welcome the decision to maintain the Albion-class vessels in operational service until their out of service dates in the 2030s. However, we are also increasingly concerned …

Gov response: As a Government, we recognise the responsibility to ensure our Armed Forces have the right people in the right place with the right skills, both now and in the future. This is never more pressing …

Not Addressed

#81 — Reserve forces recruitment challenging, lacking mass required for large-scale conflict

Defence Committee

Recommendation: Both the Chief of the General Staff and the Chief of the Air Staff told us that they were trying to grow their reserve forces but were concerned by their ability to recruit.171 Conversely First Sea Lord felt that “recruiting …

Gov response: Whilst we welcome the Government’s recognition that these issues require fresh solutions and look forward to reviewing plans based on recommendations from the Reserve Forces 2030 Review and the Haythornthwaite Review to alleviate the crisis …

Not Addressed

#80 — Health of UK Reserve Forces poor and declining, with higher outflow than intake

Defence Committee

Recommendation: As with the regular Forces, the Reserve Forces also saw a higher outflow than intake in the year up to October 2023.168 The External Scrutiny Team (mandated to report on the ‘state of the volunteer reserve forces’) found in their …

Gov response: Whilst we welcome the Government’s recognition that these issues require fresh solutions and look forward to reviewing plans based on recommendations from the Reserve Forces 2030 Review and the Haythornthwaite Review to alleviate the crisis …

Not Addressed

#74 — Army recruitment by Capita consistently falls short of targets, especially in critical professions.

Defence Committee

Recommendation: In January 2024, we took evidence on Army recruitment from Capita with which the Army has a contract to administer recruitment services.156 We heard that in 2022– 23, Capita recruited 68% of the target number of people that the Army …

Gov response: As a Government, we recognise the responsibility to ensure our Armed Forces have the right people in the right place with the right skills, both now and in the future. This is never more pressing …

Accepted

#59 — F-35 fleet overstretched and too small, compounded by pilot shortages and air base vulnerability.

Defence Committee

Recommendation: Professor Justin Bronk also raised the issue of F-35 fleet size, describing the F-35 force as “triple or quadruple-hatted in terms of how many parts of UK defence are counting on it for how many mission outputs in the case …

Gov response: As a Government, we recognise the responsibility to ensure our Armed Forces have the right people in the right place with the right skills, both now and in the future. Defence recognise that we must …

Not Addressed

#57 — RAF's peer-to-peer warfighting capability questioned due to inadequate platforms, pilot shortages, and unsuitable munitions.

Defence Committee

Recommendation: Both Generals Lord Houghton and Sir Nick Carter questioned the RAF’s ability to engage in peer-to-peer warfighting. General Lord Houghton suggested that the RAF had “good kit” in relation to its platforms and weapons but not enough of them—and a …

Gov response: As a Government, we recognise the responsibility to ensure our Armed Forces have the right people in the right place with the right skills, both now and in the future. Defence recognise that we must …

Not Addressed

#46 — British Army suffering significant capability deficiencies across equipment, logistics, and readiness levels.

Defence Committee

Recommendation: General Sir Nick Carter told us that the Army was the “weakest service” and that it had “significant capability deficiencies”.71 Both Dr Simon Anglim and General Lord Houghton questioned whether the UK could field the heavy division which is committed …

Gov response: The UK already has a significant recapitalisation programme underway across all domains. Defence has new platforms that are in service, or are coming into service, which will completely transform the Armed Forces’ capability. Through commitments …

Accepted

#26 — Armed Forces credibility undermined by persistent recruitment and retention challenges and workforce pressures.

Public Accounts Committee

Recommendation: However, for deterrence to be effective, the UK’s Armed Forces must be credible.81 Such credibility is undermined by widely reported recruitment and retention issues, with eight people leaving the Armed Forces for every five who are recruited.82 Despite the MoD’s …

Not Addressed

#12 — Ensure retention of high-calibre staff at UK Missions to the United Nations.

Foreign Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The Government must ensure the retention of the high-calibre staff at the UK Missions to the United Nations and it should outline a clear strategy detailing how it plans to retain these staff. When the Government is clear on the …

Gov response: 36. As penholder on Colombia, HMG remains firmly committed to the full implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement as the foundation for lasting peace. Sustainable peace in Colombia requires long-term commitment, including continued international support. …

Under Consideration

#18 — F-35 personnel at RAF Marham face unacceptable, low-quality accommodation and insufficient amenities

Public Accounts Committee

Recommendation: RAF Marham has been designated the F-35 main operating base since 2013 and now has at least 1,500 people working at the base to support the F-35 fleet, many of whom also live there.38 A 2025 NISTA programme review found …

Gov response: 4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: May 2026 4.2 Following the publication of the Defence Investment Plan infrastructure requirements will be reassessed against departmental priorities. The department will write to …

Under Consideration

#9 — F-35 Full Operational Capability definition omits critical standoff weapon and personnel readiness

Public Accounts Committee

Recommendation: The Department acknowledged that its definition of FOC excludes a crucial element of capability. It does not include a requirement to integrate Spear 3 onto the F-35 to provide a standoff weapon to attack ground targets from a safe distance, …

Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. requested by the Committee, noting that the negotiations for a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU, and timescales involved, will need to be integrated into development …

Accepted

#24 —

Defence Committee

Recommendation: Workforce growth at HMNB Devonport will be key to delivering the infrastructure required to improve submarine availability and prepare for SSN-AUKUS. Team Plymouth will play a central role in creating the local conditions to attract and maintain this larger workforce …

Response Pending

#12 —

Defence Committee

Recommendation: Whilst the groundwork has been laid for growing the nuclear workforce, the scale of the recruitment needed to deliver AUKUS calls for more creative solutions. These should harness existing strengths, such as the world- leading skills academies run by UK …

Response Pending

#16 —

Defence Committee

Recommendation: We support the Navy’s plans to retain a sovereign core capability but are concerned that it cannot currently deliver all the elements required to defend and support the task group. As a result, the Department must take early action on …

Gov response: . Response: One of the Secretary of State’s top priorities for the First Sea Lord (1SL) is continuing to improve the availability of ships and submarines. Numerous projects are underway to achieve this. These projects …

Under Consideration

#12 —

Defence Committee

Recommendation: Furthermore, this operation distracts from other Defence tasks, which is a particular concern given the shortfalls we identified in our recent Report ‘We’re going to need a bigger Navy’. The operation will likely have long-term impacts on training, personnel leave …

Gov response: Defence primacy for tackling small boats migration in the Channel is one part of the Government’s significant overhaul of the immigration system. On 14 April 2022, the Government announced its New Plan for Immigration which …

Accepted

#25 —

Public Accounts Committee

Recommendation: The condition of the Department’s estate is set to continue to decline despite an additional £500m to be spent on ‘preventative’ maintenance until March 2025.55 Service accommodation remains in a very bad way which risks harming recruitment and retention of …

Gov response: 4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2022 4.2 The department recognises the importance of managing risks to affordability, particularly from challenges in areas such as workforce and estates. 4.3 …

Not Addressed

#83 —

Scottish Affairs Committee

Recommendation: A further challenge relates to retaining existing staff. Witnesses told us that uncertainty about future workloads could lead to staff leaving their roles. John Howie of Babcock said: “There are inherent inefficiencies in ordering a batch of ships and then …

Gov response: 29 & 30: The UK Shipbuilding Skills Taskforce (UKSST) seeks to address this challenge by collaborating across Government, the Devolved Administrations, industry and training providers to develop and implement a future-focussed skills strategy. The UKSST …

Accepted

#82 —

Scottish Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions said workforce recruitment, skills and retention were “the biggest challenge for the industry and the enterprise collectively.”129 City of Glasgow College, one of the biggest trainers of Scottish shipbuilders, agreed that “Scottish shipbuilding …

Gov response: 29 & 30: The UK Shipbuilding Skills Taskforce (UKSST) seeks to address this challenge by collaborating across Government, the Devolved Administrations, industry and training providers to develop and implement a future-focussed skills strategy. The UKSST …

Accepted

#30 —

Scottish Affairs Committee

Recommendation: Building on the work of the UK Shipbuilding Skills Taskforce, the Ministry of Defence should commission regular research to develop and keep up to date its understanding of the current and future skills profile of the shipbuilding workforce, and the …

Gov response: 29 & 30: The UK Shipbuilding Skills Taskforce (UKSST) seeks to address this challenge by collaborating across Government, the Devolved Administrations, industry and training providers to develop and implement a future-focussed skills strategy. The UKSST …

Accepted

#13 —

Scottish Affairs Committee

Recommendation: To enhance its relationships with the Scottish shipbuilding sector, the National Shipbuilding Office should, by the end of 2023, establish a permanent staff presence in its Edinburgh hub, as the MoD and NSO have indicated. (Paragraph 40) The shipbuilding pipeline

Gov response: 12 & 13: The Department are pleased that the committee recognises the importance of the NSO’s physical presence in Scotland. Having signed a lease for a base in Queen Elizabeth House last year, this site …

Accepted

#17 — Overtasking Armed Forces threatens UK warfighting readiness and personnel well-being.

Defence Committee

Recommendation: It is a matter of national pride that whenever the Armed Forces are asked to carry out a task, they will find a way. It is to the credit of the Armed Forces that they have 56 Ready for War? …

Gov response: The Government agrees with the Committee’s assertion that the full-scale invasion of Ukraine has fundamentally changed the threat. In the last two years, the world has changed–geopolitically, technologically, economically. The threats and challenges we face …

Accepted

#11 — Introduce budget uplift or prioritisation ranking for Armed Forces commitments via National Security Council

Defence Committee

Recommendation: Despite the Secretary of State’s insistence that the UK Armed Forces still have sufficient capacity to deploy in response to world events, we remain to be convinced. We are concerned that the breadth of ministerial requirements is in danger of …

Gov response: readiness. We do this in concert with our Allies through NATO, continuously reviewing our priorities and capability plans to address shortfalls we have identified. As an example, the lessons from the Russia-Ukraine War have led …

Under Consideration

#10 — Breadth of UK Armed Forces commitments delays warfighting readiness development

Defence Committee

Recommendation: The UK Armed Forces have sufficient Readiness for operations—they can carry out standing operations and contingent commitments. However, the breadth of their commitments is having an inevitable impact, in terms of budget requirements, subsequent constraints on training and the retention …

Gov response: . On 18th July the Government published the Defence Command Paper 2023 (DCP23). The Defence Command Paper (DCP) built upon the DCP of March 2021. This mid-cycle refresh was needed given three changes in circumstance: …

Accepted