§ 23. Ms CoffeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to improve morale and retention in the armed forces. [31916]
§ Mr. IngramHigh morale, as well as being important in its own right, is a vital factor in retaining personnel, which in turn improves manning levels and helps to obtain the optimum return on investment in training. Our aim is to maintain excellent levels of retention and morale through policies that reflect the priorities of our people and their families. For example, we are implementing in full the outcome of the Armed Forces Pay Review, including the proposals for aircrew remuneration.
A key outcome of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was the "Policy for People" which addresses terms and conditions; pay and allowances; quality of training; family life; equality of opportunity and provision of better accommodation. All of these are being taken forward as part of all overarching personnel strategy that was introduced in April 2000 to place personnel issues at the centre of our policy making.