VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Armed Forces: Recruitment

Asked by Matt VickersConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 8 September 2025UIN 71339

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps he has taken to strengthen recruitment to the armed forces from underrepresented communities.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones

The Defence Diversity and Inclusion strategy sets out a goal to be an organisation that, at all levels, appropriately represents UK society by increasing representation of underrepresented groups such as Ethnic Minorities, Women and LGBT. To that end, Levels of Ambition were created in 2018 and are regularly reviewed to monitor progress.

Programmes are in place to achieve increased representation including building a more inclusive culture, improving terms and conditions of Service (including flexible working), improving engagement and outreach with underrepresented communities, improving and streamlining recruiting (including targeted inclusive advertising) and candidate nurturing programmes (including focus on underrepresented groups).

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim