Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on (a) the establishment of Independent Advisory Panels and (b) new welfare provisions.

The Ministry of Defence has made significant progress in establishing Independent Advisory Panels (IAPs) for the Army. All Army Basic Training and Initial Trade Training units now have IAPs.

IAPs are aligned to units, rather than locations, and some training units are located across split sites. The following locations however are where IAPs are present:

• Harrogate
• Catterick
• Sandhurst
• Winchester
• Worthy Down
• Marchwood and Brize Norton
• Minley
• Portsmouth
• Middle Wallop
• Larkhill
• Leconfield
• Southwick Park
• Winterbourne Gunner
• Chatham
• Bovington
• Brecon
• Melton Mowbray
• Bicester
• Kineton

Their effectiveness is reviewed through annual reports, internal reviews by unit commanders, and during 2nd Line of Defence Assurance (2LoDA) visits, which occur at least every four years. Some IAPs are still developing as skilled volunteers are recruited and trained.

Regarding the department’s progress on its welfare provisions, in January 2025, JSP 770 – Armed Forces Welfare Support Policy – was fully reviewed and updated to ensure welfare structures meet the needs of Service personnel and their families. Each Service has tailored its policies to address unique requirements, supported by the new Welfare HARDFACTS Annex, which provides comprehensive guidance on addressing emotional, medical, housing, financial, and legal concerns. The Tri-Service Welfare Support Agreement ensures collaboration across the Royal Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force to deliver consistent and specialist support, including for Reservists.

For deployed and overseas personnel, the Deployed Welfare Package provides tailored support, infrastructure, and facilities, while overseas initiatives address the unique challenges faced by Service families abroad. Additionally, Defence has refreshed its mental fitness platform, HeadFIT, and offers a 24-hour support line and access to HeadSpace to promote mental resilience and wellbeing for personnel, families, and veterans.