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<p>The current level of Armed Forces recruitment and retention is lower than we would
wish, a challenge we face in common with our allies. Nevertheless, the Armed Forces
continue to meet all their operational commitments.</p><p> </p><p>To address recruitment,
a range of tangible short-term deliverables are being actioned to increasing the inflow
into Armed Forces recruitment pipelines, all intended to increase the breadth of potential
candidates and to drive efficiencies into recruitment systems. These ongoing and new
initiatives are focused upon engaging the broad range of skills, experience and diversity
needed to deliver that which our nation demands of our Armed Forces; and in the range
of roles that are critical to enable this.</p><p> </p><p>On retention, in June 2023
we committed to implementing the recommendations of the Haythornthwaite Review, a
generational independent review of how we retain our current people and attract new
ones. Its recommendations relate to policies and processes across a complex system
of incentivisation and support. A formal Government Response, which will provide more
detail on our approach to tackling each recommendation, will be published in early
2024. This will confirm which recommendations have been - or are in the process of
being – delivered.</p><p> </p><p>Other initiatives aimed at improving the recruitment
and retention of our people include; Flexible Service, which introduces the potential
for people to alter their career commitment for set periods of time, allowing more
people to remain in the Armed Forces who may otherwise have decided to leave in order
to meet competing demands and responsibilities; Wraparound Childcare, which Defence
established in recognition of the importance of a robust childcare support system
to enable the mobility, recruitment and retention of a Armed Forces personnel; acceptance
of the Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body’s and Senior Salaries Review Body’s recommendations
in full, ensuring that the overall remuneration package for Service personnel (which
includes a good pension, subsidised accommodation, and a range of allowances on top
of basic salary) remains competitive.</p><p> </p>
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