Oral Answers to Questions

Elliot Colburn Excerpts

Monday 16th March 2020 Commons Chamber

[Elliot Colburn (Carshalton and Wallington) (Con)]

5. What steps his Department is taking to (a) recruit and (b) retain armed forces personnel.

[Antony Higginbotham (Burnley) (Con)]

13. What steps his Department is taking to (a) recruit and (b) retain armed forces personnel.

[The Minister for the Armed Forces (James Heappey)]

I fear that to list all the steps we are taking to recruit and retain armed forces personnel might take longer than you will allow, Mr Speaker. Suffice it to say, however, that I can assure the House that this country will continue to have the world-class armed forces that it needs. There are a range of measures under way to improve recruitment and, crucially, retention, and those are kept constantly under review.

[Elliot Colburn]

Carshalton and Wallington is home to 350 RAF Air Training Corps, and the cadets at the 350 Squadron are incredibly passionate about pushing themselves out of their comfort zone and achieving things that they did not think were possible. What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that young people like those in the 350 Squadron see the value of the confidence, skills and experience that a role in the armed forces would provide?

[James Heappey]

I thank my hon. Friend for being such a champion of the air cadets, particularly in his constituency. All cadets learn many skills, but the cadet forces are not conduits into the armed forces. However, many cadets do go on to enjoy successful careers in the services, and long may that continue. As part of the cadets syllabus, we provide them with an awareness of the various career opportunities in the military and in other industries around defence.