Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish (a) parental leave policies and (b) policies relating to flexible working which apply to members of the (i) Army Reserves, (ii) RAF Reserves, (iii) Naval Reserves and (iv) other military reserve units.

Parental leave policies are contained in Joint Service Publication (JSP) 760 ‘Tri-Service Regulations for Leave and other Types of Absence’ and tri-Service policies on flexible working are contained within Joint Service Publication (JSP) 750 ‘Centrally Determined Terms of Service’.

JSP 760 can be found at the following website: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1144674/JSP760_20230321.pdf. The relevant chapter of JSP 750 is Chapter 1 (Flexible Working - Alternative Working Arrangements), which is applicable to both Regular and Reserve personnel. Chapter 2 (Flexible Working – Flexible Service) is not applicable to Reserves; however, Reservists’ terms and conditions of service already offer a range of commitment types that cover part-time working and full-time working with limits on separation from assigned location. A copy of Chapters 1 and 2 of JSP 750 will be placed in the Library of the House.

JSPs are usually detailed, deep policy publications and therefore to make the information more accessible a ‘Flexible Working and You’ guide has also been produced to complement the JSP. A copy can be found at the following website: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1153094/Flexible_Working_and_You_Apr_2023.pdf

Additionally, policy for parental leave and flexible working for Army Reservists is contained within the Reserve Land Forces Regulations 2016, the latest amendment of which can be found at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-reserve-land-forces-regulations-2016-amendment-number-3