§ Lord Vivianasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why a net loss of about 100 Army personnel occurs monthly; and whether more resources will be provided to boost recruiting and retention. [HL4087]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanPersonnel leave the Army for a variety of reasons and the figures fluctuate year on year. There is no single identifiable reason to explain why the net losses during 1998–99 were approximately 100 a month. The reason for departure quoted most often by soldiers in the Continuous Attitude Survey for Service leavers is the effect of Army service on family life. Officers also cite these reasons but include the effect of service life on 75WA their children's education and whole career development.
Retention in the Army is being tackled in a series of initiatives. Steps are being taken to alleviate the effects of the Army's current very high level of commitment as well as improving the welfare arrangement for soldiers and families. We have already started to reduce commitments, HQ 5 Airborne Brigade have been withdrawn from Kosovo, the first of a larger reduction of forces from the Balkans once the situation allows. As part of our single "Policy for People", numerous improvements have been made to our operational welfare package. All soldiers who return from an operational tour of six months will now receive an additional four weeks' leave, and concessionary travel arrangements for the families of those on operations have been improved. More widely, we have established the Service Families Task Force to address, with other government departments, issues of access to education, employment and health. Our "Learning Forces" initiative, increasing the opportunity for education and personal development, will also provide a powerful recruiting incentive.
Financial retention incentives are being targeted at specific shortage trades, and re-engagement and re-enlistment bounties are being targeted at specific deficits. We are satisfied that resources currently allocated to Army recruitment are appropriate and last year 15,609 soldiers were recruited against a target of 15,659, an improvement of 10 per cent over the previous year.
§ Lord Vivianasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will publish Army recruiting figures and departure figures for the last 12 months showing net gains or losses for the Army. [HL4088]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe number of personnel recruited into the Army during the last financial year was 15,609 men and women against a target of 15,659. This last figure is deliberately set much higher than the calculated number of trained personnel required in order to manage the predicted levels of wastage from training historically experienced by the Army. In terms of trained strength during financial year 1998–99, there was an inflow of 10,128 against an outflow of 11,279. This represents a net loss of 1,151 personnel.