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Armed Forces: Ofsted Report

My right honourable friend the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans (Mr Robathan) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. Today Ofsted publish its third report on welfare and duty of care in Armed Forces initial training, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House. Following visits to 11 Armed Forces initial training establishments, Ofsted reports that recruits and trainees feel that their welfare needs are met and well supported. The Armed Forces remain committed to ensuring that the training they provide is both efficient and effective, recognising the need to continuously evaluate what works well and areas that need improvement. Ofsted inspection suggests that review processes in training establishments are improving and in one location the overall effect is judged to be outstanding. We need to continue to provide effective training in the face of resource and operational pressures, whilst providing a supportive training environment that enables instructors to bring out the best in young recruits and trainees without lessening the tough nature of Armed Forces training.