It is not true that a fifth of Armed Forces personnel are too unfit to fight. Approximately 80% of UK Armed Forces personnel are Medically Fully Deployable, however 90% could deploy with some personnel subject to a medical risk assessment; 98% of UK Armed Forces personnel are currently employable within the Ministry of Defence (MOD).<\/p>
Service personnel can be non-deployable for various reasons which include failing a fitness test, but also those identified as being Wounded, Injured and Sick (WIS) which provides access to the Defence Recovery Capability, enabling an effective return to duty or transition to a properly supported and appropriately skilled civilian life.<\/p>
The military has programmes that provide long-term support and change behaviour strategies to address poor lifestyle choices and weight management issues. If personnel fail a fitness test, they are put on a targeted programme to help them back to the required levels. The MOD has trialled the Defence Occupational Fitness Programme (DOFit) which provides evidence-based courses, supported by Public Health England, aimed at helping individuals return to optimal fitness. These can be employed post-injury, or in the event of someone not being able to complete the fitness test to a satisfactory standard. Following completion of the DOFit trial the programme has been implemented by the Royal Navy and the Army.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1487", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bournemouth East"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Tobias Ellwood"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-12T14:25:15.91Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-02-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Armed Forces: Health"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the article in the Express entitled A fifth of British troops are too unfit to fight warns former Armed Forces chief, published on 25 February 2018, whether a fifth of soldiers are unfit for overseas action; and what work his Department is doing to ensure soldiers are fit for action.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1447", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Rosindell"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Romford"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andrew Rosindell"} ], "uin" : "216134"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1054659", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1054659/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I am withholding the cost of the services provided by the Ministry of Defence Police at RAF Menwith Hill in the last 12 months for the purpose of safeguarding national security.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1487", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bournemouth East"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Tobias Ellwood"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-11T15:57:08.36Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-02-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "RAF Menwith Hill: Ministry of Defence Police"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much money has been reimbursed to the public purse by the US Administration for the cost of services provided by the Ministry of Defence Police at RAF Menwith Hill in the last 12 months.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4658", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alex Sobel"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Leeds North West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alex Sobel"} ], "uin" : "216383"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1054805", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1054805/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Viking Glider fleet records the number of launches achieved. The Vigilant motorglider fleet was retired in May 2018 and records the number of hours flown.<\/p>
The Viking fleet flew 14,235 launches during 2018. The Vigilant fleet flew 138 hours in 2018 prior to the fleet retirement from service in May.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1487", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bournemouth East"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Tobias Ellwood"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-07T16:08:01.59Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-02-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Air Force: Cadets"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many hours were flown by the Air Cadets gliding fleet in 2018.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4100", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mrs Sheryll Murray"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South East Cornwall"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mrs Sheryll Murray"} ], "uin" : "216332"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1054806", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1054806/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
In 2018 the total number of Tutor flying hours undertaken by the Air Experience Flights units within 6 Flying Training School was 9,060 hours.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1487", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bournemouth East"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Tobias Ellwood"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-07T16:11:30.36Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-02-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Air Force: Cadets"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the number of hours of Tutor Air Experience Flights undertaken by Air Cadets in 2018.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4100", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mrs Sheryll Murray"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South East Cornwall"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mrs Sheryll Murray"} ], "uin" : "216333"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1054809", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1054809/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
There are ten Volunteer Gliding Squadrons (VGS) and six Aerospace Ground Schools (AGS).<\/p>
The following six VGS have returned to flight and are training cadets both in the air and with Ground School elements:<\/p>
621VGS ,622VGS, 632VGS, 637VGS, 644VGS, 661VGS<\/p>
In addition 645VGS had returned to flight, but is currently undertaking Instructor Conversion Training to the Viking glider, having previously undertaken cadet training with the Vigilant motor glider.<\/p>
The remaining three Squadrons, 614VGS, 615VGS and 626VGS are awaiting return to flight. However, along with the six AGS they are continuing to train cadets as they operate ground school elements and Part Task Trainers.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1487", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bournemouth East"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Tobias Ellwood"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-07T16:09:45.187Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-02-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Air Force: Cadets"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made by the RAF in bringing Volunteer Gliding Squadrons back to fully operational condition.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4100", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mrs Sheryll Murray"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South East Cornwall"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mrs Sheryll Murray"} ], "uin" : "216335"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1052307", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1052307/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2018 the Department, excluding executive agencies and non-ministerial departments, was taken to an employment tribunal for disability discrimination four times.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1487", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bournemouth East"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Tobias Ellwood"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-05T16:23:19.42Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-01-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ministry of Defence: Employment Tribunals Service"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many times his Department, excluding executive agencies and non-ministerial departments, was taken to an employment tribunal for disability discrimination in 2017-18.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/478", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birkenhead"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Frank Field"} ], "uin" : "215107"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1052348", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1052348/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is increasingly challenging itself to become a more diverse and inclusive organisation. It recognises that recruitment and inclusion of individuals with diverse skills, perspectives and backgrounds will bring real strength to the organisation. The Defence Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2018 to 2030: A Force for Inclusion was issued by the Secretary of State for Defence in October 2018: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-diversity-and-inclusion-strategy-2018-to-2030-a-force-for-inclusion<\/a>. This renewed strategy is focused on the delivery of a set of strategic goals and objectives that clearly set out what sort of organisation we want to be in the future: inclusive; appropriately representative of UK society; and a force for inclusion in wider society.<\/p> <\/p> Since the lifting of the ban on LGBT personnel serving in the military in the year 2000, the MOD has welcomed and supported all personnel, irrespective of sexual orientation, actively celebrating and supporting the diversity of all our personnel. Support is available including through LGBT champions, senior LGBT role models, active LGBT networks and over 150 personnel trained by Stonewall as LGBT allies. The single Services (and MOD civilians) took part in the 2018 Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, with all three Services being placed in the Top 100 Employers. In March 2018, for the second year running, the MOD flew the transgender flag to mark Transgender Day of Visibility. The MOD once again flew the rainbow flag from the top of our Main Building, as LGBT Service personnel marched alongside their civilian colleagues at London Pride 2018.<\/p> <\/p> All three Services have a zero-tolerance policy on bullying of all kinds, including homophobic bullying. All military personnel receive mandatory diversity and inclusion training on entry into service and every two years which both educates people on the reasons for positive behaviour, and the options for seeking help when poor behaviours are displayed. The Services have a robust policy for dealing with all bullying, Joint Service Publication 763, a copy of which can be found at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jsp-763-the-mod-bullying-and-harassment-complaints-procedures<\/a>. Equality and diversity advisors are also embedded within each unit, acting as the first point of call for any personnel subjected to bullying or harassment.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1487", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bournemouth East"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Tobias Ellwood"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "215136"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-05T16:30:47.807Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-01-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Armed Forces: Bullying"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to tackle homophobic bullying in the Armed Forces.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1541", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Llanelli"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Nia Griffith"}
], "uin" : "215134"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1052350", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1052350/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is increasingly challenging itself to become a more diverse and inclusive organisation. It recognises that recruitment and inclusion of individuals with diverse skills, perspectives and backgrounds will bring real strength to the organisation. The Defence Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2018 to 2030: A Force for Inclusion was issued by the Secretary of State for Defence in October 2018: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-diversity-and-inclusion-strategy-2018-to-2030-a-force-for-inclusion<\/a>. This renewed strategy is focused on the delivery of a set of strategic goals and objectives that clearly set out what sort of organisation we want to be in the future: inclusive; appropriately representative of UK society; and a force for inclusion in wider society.<\/p> <\/p> Since the lifting of the ban on LGBT personnel serving in the military in the year 2000, the MOD has welcomed and supported all personnel, irrespective of sexual orientation, actively celebrating and supporting the diversity of all our personnel. Support is available including through LGBT champions, senior LGBT role models, active LGBT networks and over 150 personnel trained by Stonewall as LGBT allies. The single Services (and MOD civilians) took part in the 2018 Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, with all three Services being placed in the Top 100 Employers. In March 2018, for the second year running, the MOD flew the transgender flag to mark Transgender Day of Visibility. The MOD once again flew the rainbow flag from the top of our Main Building, as LGBT Service personnel marched alongside their civilian colleagues at London Pride 2018.<\/p> <\/p>