Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to improve BAME representation in ranks above Major in the Army.

As set out in the published biannual diversity statistics, there are 70 people of ethnic minorities (excluding white minorities) of rank Lieutenant Colonel and above in the British Army, as at 1st April 2023: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-armed-forces-biannual-diversity-statistics-april-2023

Diversity, inclusion and respect sit at the heart of the Army's values and ethos. The Army aims to recruit and retain a diversity of talent and thought, drawing from all sections of society.

The Army Race Action Plan which was published internally in April 2023 directs a number of actions to bring equity to career progression across all ranks and including personnel from ethnic minority backgrounds.

This includes improving representation at all levels, gaining better access to talent, progressing all talent based only upon merit, improving and professionalising organisational culture and improving lived experience, retention and opportunities.