Written Question
Tuesday 21st May 2024
Asked by:
Lord Blunkett (Labour - Life peer)
Question
to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what are the current arrangements for the assessment of literacy and numeracy competence at the first stage of recruitment into any branch of the armed forces; what provision exists for adult education for (1) literacy, (2) numeracy, and (3) broader educational purposes, after the first two stages of the recruitment process; and what specialist and current expertise exists to assist senior officers in their responsibility to deliver professional and educational support.
Answered by Earl of Minto
- Shadow Minister (Defence)
The Armed Forces conduct a range of eligibility checks and assessments within recruitment pipelines, and these include the requirement for candidates to have minimum educational qualifications for entry into the Armed Forces. The single Services set their own minimum educational entry standards, and these are specific to the individual requirements of employment groups. Minimum educational qualifications for entry are regularly reviewed and amended to reflect the most up to date requirements of employment groups.
Following initial training, 95% of enlisted personnel are enrolled onto apprenticeships, which require Functional Skills standards. We support all Service personnel up to Level 2 Functional Skills English and Maths and provide further additional support for those with Specific Learning Differences. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) also promotes lifelong learning among members of the Armed Forces, using the Elective Education Schemes to gain higher level qualifications. MOD, and each of the Armed Forces, have specialist education and training policy teams to assist senior officers.
Written Question
Friday 17th September 2021
Asked by:
Lord Blunkett (Labour - Life peer)
Question
to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many individuals are employed by the Defence Intelligence organisation; and what is the budget for its operations.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
- Shadow Minister (Defence)
The Defence Intelligence workforce at 31 March 2021 was circa 4,100 people and the budget for the same period was £349 million. We report annually to the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament on the size of the Defence Intelligence workforce and budget. The Committee normally publishes this information in its Annual Reports.
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 22 Jul 2019
Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill
"..."Lord Blunkett - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 22 Jul 2019
Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill
"My Lords, I will also speak to Amendments 6 and 10 and will endeavour to be brief. Rather than repeating myself later, I will set out here why it is important that this amendment should be in the Bill. I suspect that I will have a slightly more uphill struggle …..."Lord Blunkett - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 22 Jul 2019
Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill
"For the record, Mr Gladstone came on to the scene for this particular building a bit late, did he not?..."Lord Blunkett - View Speech
View all Lord Blunkett (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 22 Jul 2019
Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill
"I thank all noble Lords for their contributions and their support. I say to the noble Baroness, Lady Jones, that one reason that I have worded things as I have was spelled out by the noble Lord, Lord Norton, in respect of the original Long Title and the scope of …..."Lord Blunkett - View Speech
View all Lord Blunkett (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 22 Jul 2019
Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill
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View all Lord Blunkett (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 22 Jul 2019
Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill
"Amendment 7 is grouped with Amendment 17, which would insert a new clause into the Bill. I will be brief, as we have been over this issue tonight. There is a really important message to the world out there, as we said a moment ago, and it is on accessibility. …..."Lord Blunkett - View Speech
View all Lord Blunkett (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 22 Jul 2019
Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill
"I am grateful to the noble Baroness; until I was nudged along, I did not know anything about this. I am enlightened by it, and it is all the more reason why we should have absolute clarity that we are going to tackle the issue. I will give noble Lords …..."Lord Blunkett - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 22 Jul 2019
Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill
"My Lords, my mother told me never to look a gift horse in the mouth. I never quite understood what that meant—especially in my case. Anyway, I am grateful to the noble Baroness and am happy not to move Amendment 17 and to agree Amendment 7, on which we now …..."Lord Blunkett - View Speech
View all Lord Blunkett (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill