Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, what progress has he made in delivering recommendation 16.

Defence is already delivering a range of new and more flexible routes into service designed to widen participation, attract specialist talent and improve access to military careers. These include the Armed Forces Foundation Scheme, the Defence Direct Entry Cyber pathway and the Zig Zag Careers Pathway, alongside wider recruitment reforms to reduce barriers to entry and improve the journey from application to service.

The Armed Forces Foundation Scheme provides a new, paid opportunity for young adults to experience military service, develop valuable life and employability skills, and gain first-hand insight into the work of the Armed Forces. Delivery is already underway, with Royal Navy participants currently in training and Army candidates progressing into Basic Training, whilst the Royal Air Force continues preparations for implementation later this year.

Alongside this, Defence has introduced new pathways to help address skills challenges in areas where there is strong competition from the civilian labour market. The Defence Direct Entry Cyber pathway provides a streamlined route for individuals with existing skills to enter the Armed Forces, while the Zig Zag Careers Pathway supports more flexible routes into service and helps Defence access specialist talent from a broader pool of experience and expertise.

Defence is also continuing to modernise its medical entry policies to ensure standards remain evidence-based, reflect advances in medical treatment and do not create unnecessary barriers to service. A comprehensive review of entry medical standards delivered over 100 policy amendments, supporting a more inclusive approach to recruitment and enabling more people who can safely and effectively serve in the Armed Forces to do so. Medical entry standards remain under continuous review and assessed against JSP 950 to ensure they reflect the latest evidence whilst maintaining the operational effectiveness required of the Armed Forces.

In addition, Defence is working to introduce greater flexibility of Service through reducing barriers between existing workforce types, including through measures contained within the Armed Forces Bill; this will increase the opportunities available for people to serve within the Armed Forces, whilst enabling Defence to best harness the significant skills of its Service Personnel.