Oral QuestionMinistry of Defence

What steps he is taking to increase recruitment to the armed forces.

Tabled: 18 March 2025Answered: 24 March 2025

Asked by

Jim Dickson

LabourDartford

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Defence

Answer from Hansard

The Minister for the Armed Forces (Luke Pollard)

We inherited a broken recruitment system from the Conservatives. We promised to take steps to fix it and we are: the largest pay increase in 20 years for those who serve; a 35% pay increase for recruits; the scrapping of over 100 outdated medical practices; the creation of a new direct entry cyber-pathway; a conditional offer within 10 days of applying; a training start date within 30 days; and the announcement of a new tri-service recruitment scheme to attract the very best to our armed forces.