Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether armed forces personnel have a right to have their interests collectively represented to the chain of command by a trades union.

Throughout the Armed Forces’ history, personnel have not been permitted to participate in industrial action or in any form of political activity.

Armed Forces personnel are free to join trade and professional associations. They may also join other organisations representing their interests such as the Forces Pension Society, the British Armed Forces Federation, the single Service Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender fora, and the Armed Forces Muslim Association.

The chain of command is responsible for representing the interests of those under command, and all Service personnel have a statutory right to complain on any matter relating to their service. Broader interests are represented through the independent Armed Forces Pay Review Body and the three Single Service Families’ Federations.