Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to increase access for neurodiverse people to serve in the Armed Forces.

Entry requirements are kept under continual review. This ensures they are fair to everyone with aspirations of an Armed Forces career and are informed by the latest evidence.

We value diversity and are committed to recruiting and retaining the best people possible. It is also essential that all new entrants to the Armed Forces have the capacity to serve in all respects for the period of their engagement, ensuring operational efficiency, safety for the individual and safety for others. Consequently, there are a number of conditions that are a bar to Service

Candidates with Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Dyspraxia can serve in the Armed Forces, if they meet the selection, training and performance standards. While other conditions such as Autism and ADHD may be a bar to Service entry, this is not automatically the case. Every application is considered on a case by case basis by recruiting clinicians, who will make an individual assessment of the condition, its severity and the need for treatment. If an application is rejected on medical grounds, a candidate can appeal the decision to the recruiting Service, providing additional medical evidence if required.

There is also an executive waiver process where the employing Service may, exceptionally, recruit someone who does not meet the existing entry standards. This may include individuals with unique specialist skills. Again, this would be determined on a case by case basis.