§ 21. Ms KeebleTo 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. [148238]
§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the steps taken to improve retention in the armed forces. [148223]
§ Mr. SpellarArmed Forces retention is being tackled as a high priority. Our aim is to maintain good levels of retention through policies that gcnuinely reflect the priorities of our people and their families.
Internal attitude surveys tell us that separation is a factor in both the retention and overstretch of our personnel. 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. For example, we have provided a guaranteed period of post operational tour leave for those returning from operations and wider access to e-mail facilities for personnel to remain in contact with their families.
In addition to these measures a number of single service retention positive initiatives have been or are being introduced.
§ 36. Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to improve(a) morale and (b) retention in the armed forces. [148253]
§ Mr. SpellarHigh morale is a vital factor in retaining personnel which in turn improves manning levels, reduces overstretch and helps to obtain the optimum return on investment in training. Our aim is to maintain excellent50W levels of retention and morale through implementing policies that reflect the priorities of our people and their families.
Internal attitude surveys tell us that separation is a negative factor in the morale and retention of our personnel. We have sought to mitigate the impact that separation has on our people by introducing a number of welfare initiatives, for example:
A guaranteed period of Post Operational tour leave to enable Service men and women to spend some quality time with their families following an operational deployment;20 minutes free telephone call time per week for personnel who are deployed on operations;a greater spread of e-mail facilities to maintain family communications including electronic "blueys".Recent enhancements to the families Concessionary travel scheme give the families of personnel deployed on operations from an overseas base a wider range of choice when planning their return to the UK.In addition to these measures, a number of single Service retention positive initiatives have or are being introduced; for example: the creation in each Service of easily accessible Career Managers for all ranks; 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.