Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they intend to increase recruitment to the Armed Forces to the levels set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015.

The Armed Forces, both Regular and Reserve, are currently recruiting through active and targeted campaigns such as 'Made in the Royal Navy' (Navy), 'A Better You' and 'With Heart. With Mind' (Army) and 'No Ordinary Job' (RAF), and seeking to increase engagement and activity in communities which have historically been under-represented in the Armed Forces. However, a national skills shortage and a strong growing economy mean that we cannot take future recruitment for granted. In response we have in place a number of short and long-term plans to ensure that the offer of military service in the Armed Forces continues to be competitive, so that we can recruit and retain in sufficient quantity to meet the strength targets set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015.