We are committed to addressing the Army’s recruitment and training inflow challenge and supporting Government priorities on skills, employment, social mobility and opportunities for young people, but no final decisions on a second junior entry college have been taken.

This is a matter for the Children’s Commissioner. Given her independence, my hon. Friend, the Member for South Shields will need to contact her directly.

The information is not held in the format requested.

However, 159 sexual misconduct allegations were recorded on the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) system against personnel serving at Army Foundation College (Harrogate) (AFC(H)) between 1 January 2018 and 30 November 2024. 108 of these allegations predated the Unacceptable Sexual Behaviour (USB) policy which came into effect on 19 November 2022. It is important to note that these figures include all Army personnel located at AFC(H), regardless of whether they are staff or Junior Soldiers.

AFC(H) reports every instance of unacceptable sexual behaviour under its Zero Tolerance Policy and actively encourages recruits to report concerns from day one. Serious incidents are reported to the civilian police. On arrival at AFC(H) the recruits receive day-one training in Army Values and Standards emphasizing Zero Tolerance and mandatory discharge for certain transgressions. Ofsted inspections in 2021 and 2024 praised how recruits confidently report unacceptable behaviours by peers and staff, knowing complaints will be handled seriously and swiftly. Ofsted noted that emotional and psychological safety, inclusion, and teamwork are firmly embedded in College life.

In March 2024, after interviewing 61.5% of female Junior Soldiers, Ofsted found that "female recruits rarely experience instances of sexual harassment or bullying. If they do, they know how to report it and know that staff will deal with it swiftly."

Between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2024, 182 junior soldiers at AFC Harrogate underwent an initial assessment at a Ministry of Defence (MOD) Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH).

There are multiple routes for junior soldiers at the Army Foundation College (AFC) to access mental health services. These include the MOD DCMH and external Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Information on under 18s who were referred to CAMHS is not held centrally. There are various routes for referral to CAMHS, including self-referral and by external medical professionals, which the department does not track centrally.

With regard to the number of junior soldiers signed off sick by a medical professional due to mental ill health during the period 1 January 2019 to 30 December 2024, this information is only recorded on individual medical records. It is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

All those who choose to serve our country must be able to do so free from abuse, and with the dignity and respect they deserve. Sexual offending has no place in the Armed Forces, and anyone who commits a sexual offence can expect to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

The number of cases involving victims of sexual offences under the age of 18 from 2021 to 2024 and in the published Murder, Manslaughter and Sexual Offences in the Service Justice System official statistics were as follows, noting these are based on investigations opened (including referral and non-referral to the Service Prosecuting Authority) and not based on conviction.

a) Rape: 4

b) Sexual assault: 80

c) Sexual activity with a child committed by a person in a position of trust: not recorded as a separate offence in the published official statistics.

The total number of male and female victims of sexual offences under the age of 18 from 2021 to 2024 was 122. The number of female victims under the age of 18 is not published in the official statistics. Figures of fewer than three in each year have been suppressed to prevent inadvertent disclosure and are not included in these totals.

Please note that I am unable to release any details concerning alleged victims of sexual offences which could lead to their identification. This is because of statutory restrictions and to ensure that victims of sexual offences are not deterred from coming forward. Therefore, in the interests of protecting the anonymity of the victims I will not be releasing information confirming whether any of the victims of sexual offences referred to in your question were based at the Army Foundation College at the time of the offence.

The annual female attendee figures are provided in the table below; all figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

Courses straddle multiple calendar years, meaning some recruits who joined in one year and remain in attendance the following year will be counted in both.

Figures include trainees who join AFC (H) and leave within the same month, who would not otherwise appear on the monthly strengths.

The annual attendee figures are provided in the table below; all figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

Courses straddle multiple calendar years, meaning some recruits who joined in one year and remain in attendance the following year will be counted in both years.

Figures include trainees who join Army Foundation College Harrogate and leave within the same month, who would not otherwise appear on the monthly strengths.

There are 176 records on the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) system of sexual allegations reported between 1 January 2018 and 30 June 2025 where the unit of the accused was Army Foundation College Harrogate. 32 of those allegations were against Permanent Staff and 144 were against Junior Soldiers.

To note regarding the figures provided:

They may include more than one entry per allegation where, for example, a Court Martial has been followed by Major Administrative Action.

The term ‘inappropriate sexual behaviour’ is not a category on JPA, therefore the figures above include all sexual allegations (regardless of outcome).

Recorded cases may include incidents that occurred outside of the Military which are investigated by the civilian police.

These are single Service estimates based on data which is not gathered for statistical purposes or subject to the same level of scrutiny as official statistics produced by Defence Statistics.

The figures may be subject to data quality issues affecting their accuracy. As JPA is a live system the data can be subject to change due to retrospective reporting and data correction.

It will take time to collate and review the information needed to answer the noble Lady's question. I will write to her shortly and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

There are 39 Junior Soldiers registered as care leavers from the September 2024 intake.

Ofsted does inspect Army Foundation College (Harrogate). Up to date reports are published online and can be found here, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/welfare-and-duty-of-care-in-armed-forces-initial-training

Of the 707 Junior Entry trainees that were due to complete training in 2024 as a result of starting the long course at the Army Foundation College in 2023, 198 left and discharged from training prior to completing the course. This equated to 28% of the total discharging from the course prior to completion.

The main reason for early discharge was individuals exercising their “Discharge As Of Right”, i.e. voluntary discharge. An average of 167 personnel discharged voluntarily between 2013 and 2023.

From 2013 to 2024, there have been 14 occasions where staff or former staff at the Army Foundation College Harrogate were convicted of an offence via Court Martial or Summary Hearing for violent behaviour against recruits.

The 14 occasions consisted of eight Court Martials and six Summary Hearings. A further break down of figures may be disclosive and trigger potential breaches of the Data Protection Act.

I am sure you will understand that I am unable to release any details concerning alleged victims of sexual offences which could lead to their identification. This is because of statutory restrictions and also to ensure that victims of sexual offences are not deterred from coming forward.

Therefore, in the interests of protecting the anonymity of the victims I will not be releasing information confirming whether or not any of the victims of sexual offences referred to in your question were based at the Army Foundation College at the time of the offence.

I can however advise you that the published figures for victims of sexual offences aged under 18 are based on investigations opened (including referral and non-referral to the Service Prosecuting Authority), and not based on conviction.

At the point of notification, the personnel were no longer working at the Army Foundation College. The cases subsequently went to Court Martial and the sentences all included Dismissal from HM Forces.

The following safeguarding training is provided to new instructors at the Army Foundation College (AFC) before working with recruits:

· Permanent Staff Development Course Part 1. This is a Defence Learning Environment Course covering the Basic Care of Trainees which includes Level 1 Safeguarding Training.

· Permanent Staff Development Course Part 2. This delivers the Advanced Care of Trainees (ACoT) course, a safeguarding brief at level 2 and a review of the Supervisory Care Directive. This training is contextualised for the under 18 audience at AFC. Instructors are not able to conduct duties until they have completed ACoT.

· AFC(H) staff do refresher training prior to each new intake which includes training on safeguarding and the Supervisory Care Directive.

· The Commanding Officer, Designated Safeguard Lead, Chief Instructor, All Training Company Officer's Commanding, Adjutant and Unit Welfare Officer will complete the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Designated Safeguard Lead course.