Committee publication · Report · 27 March 2026 · HC 1428
7th Report - Pre-Appointment Hearing: Armed Forces Commissioner
From: Defence Committee
Inquiry: Pre-appointment hearing for the Armed Forces Commissioner
Government response deadline: 27 May 2026
Summary
The Defence Committee conducted a pre-appointment hearing for Polly Miller-Perkins, the Government's preferred candidate for Armed Forces Commissioner—a new statutory role created by the Armed Forces Commissioner Act 2025 combining the Service Complaints Ombudsman's functions with expanded welfare promotion duties. The Committee endorsed her appointment on an interim one-year basis, finding her to possess the necessary professional expertise and personal independence, despite concerns about her recent RAF Reserve service and the compressed scrutiny timeline.
Key findings
- Polly Miller-Perkins, a management consultant with extensive RAF experience including Deputy Commander British Forces Cyprus (2017–2020) and recent RAF Reserve service until March 2026, was identified as preferred candidate on 18 March 2026 for direct appointment as interim Armed Forces Commissioner for one year.
- The original five-year recruitment in June–July 2025 failed to yield appointable candidates; the Government switched to direct appointment without competition after legislative and recruitment challenges delayed the Commissioner's 'go live' from January 2026 to 1 April 2026.
- Committee scrutinised Miller-Perkins' professional competence in grievance resolution, establishing new public-facing functions, and parliamentary accountability, as well as her independence given her recent Armed Forces service and direct Secretary of State appointment.
- Miller-Perkins disclosed her spouse has an active Service Complaint; she stated established governance measures will recuse her from involvement, and committed to ceasing all military affiliations and taking no other professional commitments during her tenure.
- Committee noted the pre-appointment hearing was arranged with significantly shorter notice than Cabinet Office guidelines recommend, receiving candidate information on 20 March for a 25 March hearing.
Recommendations
- The Secretary of State should proceed with Polly Miller-Perkins' appointment as Armed Forces Commissioner on an interim basis for one year.
- Miller-Perkins should appear before the Committee again if she successfully reapplies for the permanent post.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Polly Miller-Perkins, Secretary of State for Defence, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Ministry of Defence, Defence Committee, Calvin Bailey MP, Alex Baker MP, Minister for Veterans and People
Notable line
“We are satisfied that Polly Miller-Perkins has the professional expertise and personal independence required to be the first appointee to the post of Armed Forces Commissioner on an interim basis for one year.”
Key Quotes
“I am keen that the Committee exercises the toughest pre-appointment scrutiny—we need to appoint somebody who can do the job as a fearless, independent champion”
“Independence is fundamental to the credibility of the role. The fact that the role reports to Parliament is an important constitutional safeguard.”
“One of the key risks from the outset is lack of trust in the independence of the role which will initially need to be mitigated through engagement and communication”
“I have spent many years advocating for those who do not have the influence or experience to advocate for themselves and am well versed in undertaking detailed investigations and delivering compelling evidence-based conclusions and recommendations.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗