Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has a strategy to tackle the issue of applicants to the armed forces not being fit enough to pass initial army selection.

The Army is taking proactive measures to better prepare candidates for selection, and potential recruits for Basic Training, without lowering entry standards. This enables more of society to maximise their talents through a career in the Army. This includes:

• comprehensive advice on the Army website, with the mandatory tests fully explained to allow individuals to begin preparing early, a dedicated Army fitness app (which is available to wider members of the public to utilise) and advice on healthy eating;

• courses for those who need either additional physical training ahead of starting basic training;

• more tailored advice and mentoring throughout the recruiting process from support officers regarding body mass composition and the associated health and wellbeing risks;

• from January 2019, potential recruits who are in all other respects suitable for Army Service will be offered a tailored support package, which for appropriate candidates may include a pre-conditioning course specifically designed to correct weight management issues prior to commencing basic training.

And;

• basic training is also progressive and designed to build up a recruit's fitness, strength and stamina before completing the Army's mandatory assessments ahead of Field Army service.