Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's plans are for military gap years.

As announced in the Strategic Defence Review, Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds. To support this, the Army and Navy are developing short term employment opportunities - “gap year” schemes - for young people across a variety of exciting roles that will upskill, provide apprenticeships, and a flavour of life in the Armed Forces.

Full plans will be announced in due course.