Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to reduce discrimination in recruitment within the armed services.

The UK Armed Forces are a meritocracy. They will continue to ensure fair treatment of candidates for entry and career progression regardless of race, ethnic origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation or social background and will always aim to attract the best people from the widest talent pool to help create the most effective operational force, recognising that the organisation is strongest when it is made up of people with a broad range of skills, perspectives and backgrounds.

When concerns are expressed that the Services are potentially falling short of their own high standards, action is taken to investigate and, where appropriate, rectify. For example, in September 2022, the Royal Air Force (RAF) initiated an independent Non-Statutory Inquiry (NSI) into RAF recruitment and the circumstances that had led to the resignation of the then Group Captain Recruiting and Selection. The NSI has now concluded and was published on 29 June 2023. The RAF have accepted all 12 recommendations; these either have been, or are in the process of being, implemented in full. A statement from the Chief of the Air Staff, which includes a link to the NSI, can be found at the following address: https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/chief-of-the-air-staff-statement-on-raf-recruiting-inquiry/