The Army's review of Junior Entry (JE) enlistment has concluded. The Armed Forces offer some of the best training and education to people anywhere in society. Those opportunities begin at 16 with around 1,300 Junior Soldiers graduating from Harrogate each year. The Army Foundation College at Harrogate is the only JE Phase 1 training establishment in the British Army and the JE is a tried and trusted means of engaging young people leading them to a successful Army career. The college aims to create a well-rounded junior soldier, physically, conceptually and morally. The delivery of training is conducted in accordance with a carefully synchronised college programme and is aimed to be progressive and provide variety with a balance between classroom, camp and field training.

This review considered how the Army can continue to attract the best young people under the age of 18 and, in doing so, maximise the talent of the individual to the mutual benefit of the individual, the Army and society improving their social mobility. The tendency for under-18 recruits to serve for longer than their over-18 peers and the relatively high proportion of junior entrants that promote to senior NCO ranks over the course of their careers benefits the Army and the individual.

The Review found that while the JE scheme is performing well and remains attractive to potential recruits, it is not well known and could be advertised more effectively. To recruit effectively the JE model must appeal to all, including females and the growing Black Asian and Minority Ethnic workforce in the UK.

A copy of the report of the Army's review of JE enlistment will be placed in the Library of the House.

The British Army's preparedness is being addressed as part of the MOD's overall preparations for the UK leaving the EU.

Data for the period 1 January 2019 to 1 July 2019 can be found below:

This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Wait times vary by establishment. Wait times for access to military primary care rehabilitation facilities or to a routine medical appointment range from same day to 48 hours. Those recorded on the Wounded, Injured, & Long Term Sick Management Information System (WISMIS) are normally seen on the same day. Secondary healthcare services are provided by the NHS and information on wait times is not held centrally by the Ministry of Defence.

Around five Army recruits undergoing basic training are currently recorded as on "sick leave", where they have been off training for more than 14 days. The number has been rounded to the nearest five to limit disclosure and ensure confidentiality. It is drawn from single service sources rather than official statistics produced by Defence Statistics.

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

The formation of 6th (UK) Division brings together five existing Army brigades, including 77th Brigade. The Division will enhance the Army's ability to conduct intelligence, counter-intelligence and information operations as well as respond to electronic, cyber and unconventional warfare threats. The brigades involved include reserve units which will play a full part in 6th Division activity. No new funding has been allocated as this is a rebalancing of existing units not the creation of new ones.

The formation of 6th (UK) Division brings together five existing Army brigades, including 77th Brigade. The Division will enhance the Army's ability to conduct intelligence, counter-intelligence and information operations as well as respond to electronic, cyber and unconventional warfare threats. The brigades involved include reserve units which will play a full part in 6th Division activity. No new funding has been allocated as this is a rebalancing of existing units not the creation of new ones.

The formation of 6th (UK) Division brings together five existing Army brigades, including 77th Brigade. The Division will enhance the Army's ability to conduct intelligence, counter-intelligence and information operations as well as respond to electronic, cyber and unconventional warfare threats. The brigades involved include reserve units which will play a full part in 6th Division activity. No new funding has been allocated as this is a rebalancing of existing units not the creation of new ones.

The formation of 6th (UK) Division brings together five existing Army brigades, including 77th Brigade. The Division will enhance the Army's ability to conduct intelligence, counter-intelligence and information operations as well as respond to electronic, cyber and unconventional warfare threats. The brigades involved include reserve units which will play a full part in 6th Division activity. No new funding has been allocated as this is a rebalancing of existing units not the creation of new ones.

As at 1 April 2019, there were 74,940 male and 7,510 female personnel in the Regular Army and Gurkha population, and 25,400 male and 4,060 female personnel in the Army Reserve.

Notes/Caveats:

The Figures are for trained and untrained Regular and Gurkha personnel excluding Full Time Reserve Service.

Reserve figures are taken from the FR20 population consisting of Group A Army Reserves, some Sponsored Reserves and those personnel serving on FTRS contracts who were previously Army Reservists.

Figures have been rounded to 10 for presentational purposes.

As at 1 April 2019, there were 75,230 male and 7,540 female personnel in the full-time trade-trained strength and their untrained counterparts. This population does not include full-time Reserves Service (Home Commitment), Military Provost Guard Service and non-regular permanent staff, of which there are an additional 4,960 male and 260 female personnel.

Full-time trade-trained strength includes Regulars, Gurkhas, and full-time Reserves Service (Full Commitment and Limited Commitment). Mobilised Reserves have not been included in the data, as these are only full-time whilst mobilised. Figures have been rounded to 10 for presentational purposes.

The Ministry of Defence is currently evaluating what unit and assets are best suited to the task required by the United Nation. This will be finalised in due course, prior to deployment in 2020. Further information can be found in the written statement made by the then Secretary of State for Defence (Penny Mordaunt) on 22 July 2019, (HCWS1779).

As I said to the hon. Member on 8 July, it is difficult to put an exact date on when the Army will reach its full trade trained strength. However, the Army have a series of initiatives in place aimed at improving both recruitment and retention. These are starting to yield benefits but ensuring the Army is at the appropriate size requires sustained effort and investment. However, most importantly the Army continues to meet all of its operational commitments that keep Britain safe.

The proposal for a regular Army of 82,000 emerged from work that followed the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review.

The Recruiting Partnering Project (RPP) has been resourced to prioritise recruiting using a range of tools, including financial incentives. Historically, these have incentivised candidates to join specific trades or to start training quickly.

The RPP has set aside some £885,000 to date, to incentivise candidates, who are able to do so, to start training quickly where there are anticipated spaces on training intakes. These bonuses were comprised of single payments of £2,500 to 354 candidates, split over two separate incentive periods.

Qualifying criteria require the candidate to commence the relevant training (e.g. Infantry at Infantry Training Centre Catterick) in target months, be over 18 years of age and to have passed their Discharge as of Right period.

If the hon. Lady had listened to my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces earlier, she would know that our trained and untrained strength is actually not decreasing. The number of recruits coming in is actually going up, but social mobility is important. Of course the MOD can always do more, but our armed forces are one of the greatest agents for social mobility in this country. They are one of the largest education providers in this country, and we ought to continue encouraging them to do more.

At a time when Army numbers are consistently falling, it is all the more important that we draw on the widest possible pool of recruits. Why, then, has there been a 45% increase in the number of officer cadets admitted to Sandhurst from independent schools, compared with just a 7% increase from state schools? I know the Secretary of State is personally committed to creating a level playing field, so could she set out what she will do to seek out the brightest and best from all backgrounds?

We already have a very clear idea of the barriers that exist and of the barriers that existed in the past, which is why our community engagement programmes are so important and why, since coming to the Department, I have protected those budgets.