Submariners undertake some of the most demanding duties in Defence and the Department recognises the unique demands placed upon them and their families.

A range of support measures are provided to submariners while on patrol and once they return home, including access to comprehensive medical care, pre- and post‑deployment health checks, comprehensive mental health support, alongside chaplaincy access and secure arrangements for receiving messages from family while deployed.

Families are supported through Royal Navy welfare organisations, including Royal Navy Family and People Support, which provides 24-hour support to Service personnel and their families. All arrangements remain under constant review and further information can be found at: Royal Navy Support

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) is critical to securing Defence assets and people. Recruitment is kept under constant review and is driven by Defence requirements and takes account of the number of leavers and joiners at any given time.

At the end of December 2025, Defence saw an increase in workforce that delivers the policing, guarding, and security effect across the delivery groups under a single authority (SJC). We are accelerating recruitment of Ministry of Defence Police, MOD Guard Service through targeted campaigns and implementation of targeted retention bonus for hard to recruit locations and there are now some 250 more Military Provost Guard Service than in 2020. This steady growth is supported by plans to increase this in coming months. Defence takes security seriously, which is demonstrated by the carve outs from civil service recruitment freezes and voluntary exit schemes.

The annual budget for the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) are shown below:

The workforce numbers for the Ministry of Defence Police are below. Note that the 2025 figure reflects workforce plans set under the previous government:

¹ Ministry of Defence Police officers

² Non-uniformed Civil Servants

* Original target. Target was replaced during the course of the year by site specific recruitment targets because of ongoing reviews to reduce the number of MDP posts across the UK resulting from introduction of a new operating police model (OPM), reprioritisation of security risk and the replacement of MDP with alternative policing/security providers.

The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) is critical to securing Defence assets and people. Recruitment is kept under constant review and is driven by Defence requirements and takes account of the number of leavers and joiners at any given time.

At the end of December 2025, Defence saw an increase in workforce that delivers the policing, guarding, and security effect across the delivery groups under a single authority (SJC). We are accelerating recruitment of Ministry of Defence Police, MOD Guard Service through targeted campaigns and implementation of targeted retention bonus for hard to recruit locations and there are now some 250 more Military Provost Guard Service than in 2020. This steady growth is supported by plans to increase this in coming months. Defence takes security seriously, which is demonstrated by the carve outs from civil service recruitment freezes and voluntary exit schemes.

The annual budget for the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) are shown below:

The workforce numbers for the Ministry of Defence Police are below. Note that the 2025 figure reflects workforce plans set under the previous government:

¹ Ministry of Defence Police officers

² Non-uniformed Civil Servants

* Original target. Target was replaced during the course of the year by site specific recruitment targets because of ongoing reviews to reduce the number of MDP posts across the UK resulting from introduction of a new operating police model (OPM), reprioritisation of security risk and the replacement of MDP with alternative policing/security providers.

The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) is critical to securing Defence assets and people. Recruitment is kept under constant review and is driven by Defence requirements and takes account of the number of leavers and joiners at any given time.

At the end of December 2025, Defence saw an increase in workforce that delivers the policing, guarding, and security effect across the delivery groups under a single authority (SJC). We are accelerating recruitment of Ministry of Defence Police, MOD Guard Service through targeted campaigns and implementation of targeted retention bonus for hard to recruit locations and there are now some 250 more Military Provost Guard Service than in 2020. This steady growth is supported by plans to increase this in coming months. Defence takes security seriously, which is demonstrated by the carve outs from civil service recruitment freezes and voluntary exit schemes.

The annual budget for the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) are shown below:

The workforce numbers for the Ministry of Defence Police are below. Note that the 2025 figure reflects workforce plans set under the previous government:

¹ Ministry of Defence Police officers

² Non-uniformed Civil Servants

* Original target. Target was replaced during the course of the year by site specific recruitment targets because of ongoing reviews to reduce the number of MDP posts across the UK resulting from introduction of a new operating police model (OPM), reprioritisation of security risk and the replacement of MDP with alternative policing/security providers.

Statistics on UK Reserve Forces are published on gov.uk at the following links:

UK Regular Reserve Forces figures between 1 April 1995 - 1 April 2011 have been taken from the UK Reserves And Cadets Strengths available at the following link: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20140116145334/http://www.dasa.mod.uk/index.php/publications/personnel/military/reserves-and-cadets-strengths

UK Volunteer Reserves figures between 1 April 1995 - 1 April 2011 have been taken from the UK Defence Statistics Compendium available at the following link: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20140116145634/http://www.dasa.mod.uk/index.php/publications/UK-defence-statistics-compendium

UK Regular Reserve Forces and Volunteer Reserves figures between 1 April 2012 - 1 April 2015 have been taken from the Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics, the latest edition of the publication is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2025

Statistics on UK Reserve Forces are published on gov.uk at the following links:

UK Regular Reserve Forces figures between 1 April 1995 - 1 April 2011 have been taken from the UK Reserves And Cadets Strengths available at the following link: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20140116145334/http://www.dasa.mod.uk/index.php/publications/personnel/military/reserves-and-cadets-strengths

UK Volunteer Reserves figures between 1 April 1995 - 1 April 2011 have been taken from the UK Defence Statistics Compendium available at the following link: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20140116145634/http://www.dasa.mod.uk/index.php/publications/UK-defence-statistics-compendium

UK Regular Reserve Forces and Volunteer Reserves figures between 1 April 2012 - 1 April 2015 have been taken from the Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics, the latest edition of the publication is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2025

The UK’s Reserve Forces are a vital component of Defence, providing critical capability, specialist skills and a strong connection to wider society, while offering a flexible and cost‑effective means of meeting operational demand. Reserves underpin the Armed Forces’ ability to respond to threats at home and overseas, and the Strategic Defence Review has reinforced their importance, including our ambition to grow the Active Reserve by at least 20 per cent.

In Financial Year 2024-25, the proportion of people who applied to join the Armed Forces Reserves and who subsequently became untrained entrants was as follows: Royal Navy 7%, British Army 4%, Royal Air Force 5%, in line with a long-standing trend.

Between the point of application and becoming an untrained entrant, a variety of checks and tests are conducted to ensure that any applicant entering training is suitable for military service and that it is credible that the applicant will complete training. This ensures that the standards of the Armed Forces are maintained and that public funds and resources are not wasted. There are a number of reasons for an applicant not being successful, including medical scrutiny. Reserve applications, when compared to Regulars, also reflects an older profile of applicants together with a need to balance service with civilian work and family life. In addition, historically these tests and checks in the recruiting process have involved multiple stages and appointments, which can lengthen timelines and increase drop‑out before entry.

The Department has taken urgent and targeted action since November 2024 to improve throughput which has been low historically. The Services have already streamlined recruiting processes by reducing the number of appointments, increasing automation and using digital tools to speed up decision‑making, which has improved conversion in some areas. Reserves‑specific national and local marketing campaigns are being used to better target likely candidates and set clearer expectations from the outset. From next year, Reserve recruiting will also transition to the new Armed Forces Recruiting System, which will use modern technology and industry expertise to deliver a faster, more effective and more consistent recruiting experience across Defence.

We continue to engage constructively with trade unions. It would not be appropriate to offer more detail of these engagements as discussions are ongoing.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

The Ministry of Defence is eager to facilitate more engagement with Parliamentarians, and we are proactively doing so given the importance of Defence within the national conversation. Defence Ministers are committed to ensuring the Department is being more transparent and engaged with MPs from all parties, supporting visits to sites across the UK to meet our brave Service men and women.

Parliamentarians can seek approval to visit an establishment, including requests for media or photography in advance, and these are approved on a case-by-case basis noting security protocols and sensitivities. The most effective route remains to contact the Parliamentary Engagement Lead for the relevant Service in the first instance. Constituency MPs or MPs for immediately neighbouring constituencies may arrange visits directly with local establishments.

I can advise the hon. Member that JSP 767 does not exist.

Each Service has their own set of core values and standards that should be adhered to at all times. These can be viewed online:

• Royal Navy: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/organisation/our-people/our-values
• Army: https://www.army.mod.uk/learn-and-explore/about-the-army/values-and-standards/
• Royal Air Force: https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/media/ig5dhw0z/20200703-raf_ap1_2019_rev_3_page_spreads.pdf

Minor Administrative Action guidance is contained in Joint Service Publication 833 (Minor Administrative Action) which sets out an individual’s rights during the process. This includes the right to review at a higher level than that at which it is initiated. In addition, a Service person who considers themselves to have been wronged in a matter relating to their service has the right to submit a Service complaint, seeking redress of individual grievance.

Service Complaints guidance is published within Joint Service Publication 831 (Redress of Individual Grievances (Service Complaints)). This includes a Complainant’s right to appeal if they disagree with the decision of their Service Complaint, and also how they can ask the Armed Forces Commissioner to investigate issues relating to the outcome of their complaint if they are dissatisfied. Furthermore, all Complainants and Respondents are entitled to the services of an Assisting Officer whose role is to support and help them throughout the process.

Defence remains committed to decisive, evidence-based action to protect our people and uphold the highest standards for everyone.

I can advise the hon. Member that JSP 767 does not exist.

Each Service has their own set of core values and standards that should be adhered to at all times. These can be viewed online:

• Royal Navy: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/organisation/our-people/our-values
• Army: https://www.army.mod.uk/learn-and-explore/about-the-army/values-and-standards/
• Royal Air Force: https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/media/ig5dhw0z/20200703-raf_ap1_2019_rev_3_page_spreads.pdf

Minor Administrative Action guidance is contained in Joint Service Publication 833 (Minor Administrative Action) which sets out an individual’s rights during the process. This includes the right to review at a higher level than that at which it is initiated. In addition, a Service person who considers themselves to have been wronged in a matter relating to their service has the right to submit a Service complaint, seeking redress of individual grievance.

Service Complaints guidance is published within Joint Service Publication 831 (Redress of Individual Grievances (Service Complaints)). This includes a Complainant’s right to appeal if they disagree with the decision of their Service Complaint, and also how they can ask the Armed Forces Commissioner to investigate issues relating to the outcome of their complaint if they are dissatisfied. Furthermore, all Complainants and Respondents are entitled to the services of an Assisting Officer whose role is to support and help them throughout the process.

Defence remains committed to decisive, evidence-based action to protect our people and uphold the highest standards for everyone.

I can advise the hon. Member that JSP 767 does not exist.

Each Service has their own set of core values and standards that should be adhered to at all times. These can be viewed online:

• Royal Navy: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/organisation/our-people/our-values
• Army: https://www.army.mod.uk/learn-and-explore/about-the-army/values-and-standards/
• Royal Air Force: https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/media/ig5dhw0z/20200703-raf_ap1_2019_rev_3_page_spreads.pdf

Minor Administrative Action guidance is contained in Joint Service Publication 833 (Minor Administrative Action) which sets out an individual’s rights during the process. This includes the right to review at a higher level than that at which it is initiated. In addition, a Service person who considers themselves to have been wronged in a matter relating to their service has the right to submit a Service complaint, seeking redress of individual grievance.

Service Complaints guidance is published within Joint Service Publication 831 (Redress of Individual Grievances (Service Complaints)). This includes a Complainant’s right to appeal if they disagree with the decision of their Service Complaint, and also how they can ask the Armed Forces Commissioner to investigate issues relating to the outcome of their complaint if they are dissatisfied. Furthermore, all Complainants and Respondents are entitled to the services of an Assisting Officer whose role is to support and help them throughout the process.

Defence remains committed to decisive, evidence-based action to protect our people and uphold the highest standards for everyone.

I can advise the hon. Member that JSP 767 does not exist.

Each Service has their own set of core values and standards that should be adhered to at all times. These can be viewed online:

• Royal Navy: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/organisation/our-people/our-values
• Army: https://www.army.mod.uk/learn-and-explore/about-the-army/values-and-standards/
• Royal Air Force: https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/media/ig5dhw0z/20200703-raf_ap1_2019_rev_3_page_spreads.pdf

Minor Administrative Action guidance is contained in Joint Service Publication 833 (Minor Administrative Action) which sets out an individual’s rights during the process. This includes the right to review at a higher level than that at which it is initiated. In addition, a Service person who considers themselves to have been wronged in a matter relating to their service has the right to submit a Service complaint, seeking redress of individual grievance.

Service Complaints guidance is published within Joint Service Publication 831 (Redress of Individual Grievances (Service Complaints)). This includes a Complainant’s right to appeal if they disagree with the decision of their Service Complaint, and also how they can ask the Armed Forces Commissioner to investigate issues relating to the outcome of their complaint if they are dissatisfied. Furthermore, all Complainants and Respondents are entitled to the services of an Assisting Officer whose role is to support and help them throughout the process.

Defence remains committed to decisive, evidence-based action to protect our people and uphold the highest standards for everyone.

I can advise the hon. Member that JSP 767 does not exist.

Each Service has their own set of core values and standards that should be adhered to at all times. These can be viewed online:

• Royal Navy: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/organisation/our-people/our-values
• Army: https://www.army.mod.uk/learn-and-explore/about-the-army/values-and-standards/
• Royal Air Force: https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/media/ig5dhw0z/20200703-raf_ap1_2019_rev_3_page_spreads.pdf

Minor Administrative Action guidance is contained in Joint Service Publication 833 (Minor Administrative Action) which sets out an individual’s rights during the process. This includes the right to review at a higher level than that at which it is initiated. In addition, a Service person who considers themselves to have been wronged in a matter relating to their service has the right to submit a Service complaint, seeking redress of individual grievance.

Service Complaints guidance is published within Joint Service Publication 831 (Redress of Individual Grievances (Service Complaints)). This includes a Complainant’s right to appeal if they disagree with the decision of their Service Complaint, and also how they can ask the Armed Forces Commissioner to investigate issues relating to the outcome of their complaint if they are dissatisfied. Furthermore, all Complainants and Respondents are entitled to the services of an Assisting Officer whose role is to support and help them throughout the process.

Defence remains committed to decisive, evidence-based action to protect our people and uphold the highest standards for everyone.

All of our Service personnel are expected to uphold the highest standards of behaviour and to adhere to the core values and ethos of the Armed Forces. There is no single piece of written guidance or briefing material to cover these expectations across all the single Services, however they are consistently embedded during Phase 1 training and are made explicitly clear through multiple policy documents.

Welfare support is always available to Service personnel, who are free to access unrestricted welfare support whatever the circumstances.

Following an administrative action, Service personnel are able to access legal support at their own cost should they wish to do so.