Asked by: Alex Davies-Jones (Labour - Pontypridd)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Armed Forces Personnel figures published on 22 March 2023, what steps his Department is taking to (a) improve the working conditions and (b) retain personnel in the armed forces.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is examining our Service personnel's terms and conditions under the 'Haythornthwaite Review of Armed Forces Incentivisation'. This review builds on significant modernisation and improvement to working conditions which has already been made in recent years, including the expansion of flexible working policies and the introduction of wraparound childcare.
The MOD recognises that reforming and enhancing our working conditions also improves retention by expanding further on our already strong offer. Measures to attract and retain personnel include a competitive salary, a non-contributary pension (the last such major scheme in the public sector), subsidised accommodation, a range of allowances on top of basic salary, strong career and progression prospects, and training and development opportunities.
Asked by: Alex Davies-Jones (Labour - Pontypridd)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his timetable is for the implementation of phase 2 of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
Answered by Leo Docherty
The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) is an ongoing programme of work and will continue to be a key part of the Ministry of Defence's long-term plans to develop and encourage public support for the Armed Forces community through the Armed Forces Covenant.
There is no timetable for the implementation of a second phase of the Defence ERS; there is an annual programme of review and award to enable interested employers to progress through the three levels of the scheme (Bronze to Silver to Gold) which begins in January each year.
Asked by: Alex Davies-Jones (Labour - Pontypridd)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what training his Department provides to junior officers to increase awareness of sexual harassment in the armed forces.
Answered by Johnny Mercer
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is absolutely clear there is no place for sexual offending in the Armed Forces. The Armed Forces are committed to addressing the issues of sexual harassment and sexual assault through a range of actions, including awareness campaigns and training presentations around sexual consent. Training is provided to all personnel, with junior officers benefitting from additional instruction to enable them to understand the standards expected of them, tackle unacceptable behaviours and support those under their command
The MOD recognises the great courage it takes to come forward and report a sexual offence and is committed to reducing the incidence of unacceptable behaviour and to holding perpetrators to account. All allegations are thoroughly investigated, and support provided to victims. Commanding Officers must always refer any allegation of rape and sexual assault, or any other offence which may have a sexual element, to the Service Police. Anyone found to fall short of the Services’ high standards or to have committed an offence is dealt with appropriately, up to and including imprisonment and dismissal from Service. While much has been and continues to be done, including the implementation of the Wigston and Gray reports, Defence recognises the scale of the task we must address and remains committed to tackling this challenge.
Detailed statistics about sexual offending in the Service Justice System are published annually as part of our commitment to openness and transparency, and are available from the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sexual-offences-in-the-service-justice-system
Asked by: Alex Davies-Jones (Labour - Pontypridd)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many instances of sexual harassment in the armed forces have been reported in each year since 2015.
Answered by Johnny Mercer
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is absolutely clear there is no place for sexual offending in the Armed Forces. The Armed Forces are committed to addressing the issues of sexual harassment and sexual assault through a range of actions, including awareness campaigns and training presentations around sexual consent. Training is provided to all personnel, with junior officers benefitting from additional instruction to enable them to understand the standards expected of them, tackle unacceptable behaviours and support those under their command
The MOD recognises the great courage it takes to come forward and report a sexual offence and is committed to reducing the incidence of unacceptable behaviour and to holding perpetrators to account. All allegations are thoroughly investigated, and support provided to victims. Commanding Officers must always refer any allegation of rape and sexual assault, or any other offence which may have a sexual element, to the Service Police. Anyone found to fall short of the Services’ high standards or to have committed an offence is dealt with appropriately, up to and including imprisonment and dismissal from Service. While much has been and continues to be done, including the implementation of the Wigston and Gray reports, Defence recognises the scale of the task we must address and remains committed to tackling this challenge.
Detailed statistics about sexual offending in the Service Justice System are published annually as part of our commitment to openness and transparency, and are available from the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sexual-offences-in-the-service-justice-system
Asked by: Alex Davies-Jones (Labour - Pontypridd)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to tackle sexual harassment in the armed forces.
Answered by Johnny Mercer
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is absolutely clear there is no place for sexual offending in the Armed Forces. The Armed Forces are committed to addressing the issues of sexual harassment and sexual assault through a range of actions, including awareness campaigns and training presentations around sexual consent. Training is provided to all personnel, with junior officers benefitting from additional instruction to enable them to understand the standards expected of them, tackle unacceptable behaviours and support those under their command
The MOD recognises the great courage it takes to come forward and report a sexual offence and is committed to reducing the incidence of unacceptable behaviour and to holding perpetrators to account. All allegations are thoroughly investigated, and support provided to victims. Commanding Officers must always refer any allegation of rape and sexual assault, or any other offence which may have a sexual element, to the Service Police. Anyone found to fall short of the Services’ high standards or to have committed an offence is dealt with appropriately, up to and including imprisonment and dismissal from Service. While much has been and continues to be done, including the implementation of the Wigston and Gray reports, Defence recognises the scale of the task we must address and remains committed to tackling this challenge.
Detailed statistics about sexual offending in the Service Justice System are published annually as part of our commitment to openness and transparency, and are available from the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sexual-offences-in-the-service-justice-system