§ 27. Mr. Derek TwiggTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the steps being taken to improve retention in the armed forces. [138600]
§ Mr. SpellarRetention is being tackled as a high priority. A key outcome of the Strategic Defence Review was a widespread recognition of the need for an Armed Forces Overarching Personnel Strategy (AFOPS) as part of the 'Policy for People', which was introduced to give more emphasis to personnel issues. The strategy, which was implemented in April this year, is a key element in showing our continuing commitment to our personnel and their families, and reinforces the message that we place people at the centre of our plans. The AFOPS is, in turn, underpinned by personnel strategies in each of the Services.
There have been welcome signs of improvement in retention in recent months. We have sought to mitigate the impact of overstretch upon Service personnel and to make improvements to the welfare of those who are deployed on operations.
Measures include: more free telephone calls home; wider access to the internet for personal communication; a guaranteed period of post-operational tour leave for those returning from operations. In addition to these measures, a number of single Service retention positive initiatives have or are being introduced, for example, Financial Retention Incentives have been introduced to stop the outflow of Leading Rate Operator Mechanics and Royal Signallers in the Navy and Army respectively, and the RAF has introduced the 'Link-Up' Scheme to fund Civilian Pilots licences in return for longer service.