Written questions by Davies.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of raising the retirement age of reservists from 60 to 65.

I am grateful for the contribution of our Reserve Forces who provide the UK with the ability to meet the threats we face at home and overseas, with the scale, skills, agility and connection to society that it needs, in a cost-effective way. Alongside the Strategic Defence Review’s interest in Reserves, and in tandem with the transformational work already underway in Defence, I am reviewing the Reserves landscape, in a meaningful and impactful way, to ensure that we are making the most of the unique skills our Reserves offer Defence. A total of 2,860 Reservists are aged between 55 and 60. Of those, 450 will turn 60 in 2025 if they remain on strength.

How many reservists are aged between 55 and 60; and how many will be 60 in the next 12 months.

I am grateful for the contribution of our Reserve Forces who provide the UK with the ability to meet the threats we face at home and overseas, with the scale, skills, agility and connection to society that it needs, in a cost-effective way. Alongside the Strategic Defence Review’s interest in Reserves, and in tandem with the transformational work already underway in Defence, I am reviewing the Reserves landscape, in a meaningful and impactful way, to ensure that we are making the most of the unique skills our Reserves offer Defence. A total of 2,860 Reservists are aged between 55 and 60. Of those, 450 will turn 60 in 2025 if they remain on strength.

What steps his Department is taking to support Armed Forces personnel with children when there is a breakdown in family arrangements.

Joint Service Publication (JSP) 770 (Tri-Service Operational and Non-Operational Welfare Policy) provides a framework for the delivery of a widely recognised and accessible support structure that secures and improves the wellbeing of Service personnel and the Service community. Whilst JSP 770 recognises that Service personnel have responsibility for their own immediate welfare and that of their family, the Chain of Command have prime responsibility for the welfare support of those personnel under their command and their entitled families when their wellbeing is at risk. Delivery of welfare support to Service personnel and entitled family members is therefore a single Service responsibility and includes provision of welfare support to Service families experiencing separation and divorce. JSP 770 can be accessed at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_d ata/file/480979/FOI_04718-JSP_770__Final_v10-U.pdf. In addition, the Armed Forces Covenant also ensures that support is provided to Armed Forces families. It ensures, amongst other things, that those who currently serve or who have served, as well as their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public services. The Covenant Legal Duty obliges certain local public bodies to have due regard to the Covenant principles when conducting functions in healthcare, education, and housing. Local authorities are subject to this legal obligation in relation to social housing and homelessness.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of working conditions in the Armed Forces on the (a) mental health and (b) familial relations of Armed Forces personnel.

Defence considers its people to be its greatest asset and is committed to the health and wellbeing of our personnel and their families. We recognise that the unique nature of Service life can cause stress and strain. We invest in, and act upon, mechanisms designed to understand the opinions and attitudes of Service personnel and their families. Through the annual Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) and Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FAMCAS) we gather information on the views and experiences of our personnel and their families, including topics such as morale and accommodation, which will impact on family life. The information from these surveys helps shape policies for training, support, and the terms and conditions of service. All Service personnel can also access pastoral and welfare care from a variety of sources, including from within their Chain of Command, Service welfare organisations, contracted Social Work Services, Families Federations and, where appropriate, Service Charities. Specialist mental health support for Service personnel is also available, including on-demand digital resources, and in-person welfare establishments. The latest AFCAS and FAMCAS data can be found at the following links: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/armed-forces-continuous-attitude-survey-summaries. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tri-service-families-continuous-attitude-survey-summaries/tri-service-families-continuous-attitude-survey-2024-summary

How much his Department paid in paternity pay to (a) civilian and (b) military staff in each of the last five years; and to how many fathers.

The below table details the number of people who took paternity leave for either the birth or adoption of a child in each of the last five calendar years. The amount paid to staff will take longer to compile and I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House. Calendar YearCount of Civilian Person NumberCount of Military Person Number20203062,40020213482,43520224952,29920234572,12220244201,667Grand Total2,02610,923

How many people left the armed forces in each of the last five years, and what information his Department holds on the different types of departure.

The number of people who have left the Armed Forces within the last five years can be found in the table below, and was extracted from the quarterly Service Personal Statistics 2024 on gov.uk at the following link https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2024 12 Months Ending:2020202120222023202431 Mar31 Mar31 Mar31 Mar31 MarTri Service:Trained (RN/RM and RAF) and Trade Trained (Army) Outflow11,7978,64910,61013,46413,275Voluntary Outflow7,3795,2685,9788,4008,101Time Expiry1,8541,5722,0262,1471,960Other Reasons2,5641,8092,6062,9173,214 According to the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) 2024, the top three factors increasing, or strongly increasing, intentions to leave were due to the impact of Service life on family and personal life; opportunities outside the Service and the amount of pay. Full results can be found at thefollowing link:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/armed-forces-continuous-attitude-survey-2024

What information his Department holds on the reasons why staff leave the armed forces; and what the most common reasons are.

The number of people who have left the Armed Forces within the last five years can be found in the table below, and was extracted from the quarterly Service Personal Statistics 2024 on gov.uk at the following link https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2024 12 Months Ending:2020202120222023202431 Mar31 Mar31 Mar31 Mar31 MarTri Service:Trained (RN/RM and RAF) and Trade Trained (Army) Outflow11,7978,64910,61013,46413,275Voluntary Outflow7,3795,2685,9788,4008,101Time Expiry1,8541,5722,0262,1471,960Other Reasons2,5641,8092,6062,9173,214 According to the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) 2024, the top three factors increasing, or strongly increasing, intentions to leave were due to the impact of Service life on family and personal life; opportunities outside the Service and the amount of pay. Full results can be found at thefollowing link:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/armed-forces-continuous-attitude-survey-2024

Whether his Department has conducted qualitative research into recruitment barriers in the Armed Forces.

The new Government’s work in improving retention and recruitment is part of a package of measures aimed to renew the contract between the nation and those who serve. We are modernising and refining our policies and processes to attract, and then retain the best possible talent, highlighting that Defence is a modern, forward-facing employer which offers a valuable and rewarding career. Within this work we are drawing on qualitative research to inform decisions and steer direction, ensuring that desired outcomes are achieved in the most effective ways.

What the average length of paternity leave taken by staff in (a) his Department and (b) the armed forces was in each of the last three years.

Our records show that between 2021 and October 2024, Ministry of Defence employees have taken paternity leave for the birth or adoption of a child. The average working days taken (AWDT) for civilian and military personnel is shown in the tables below. Calendar YearAWDT Civilian Personnel202113.3202212.7202312.92024 Jan-Oct12.5Data covers the entire civilian workforce (includes DE&S and SDA)Data includes Paternity Leave, Paternity Leave Birth and Paternity Leave Adoption Calendar YearAWDT Military Personnel202113.6202213.7202313.62024 Jan-Oct13.7Data includes Paternity Leave, Paternity Leave Birth and Paternity Leave Adoption- including any unpaid and deferred elements

Whether he plans to issue any licences for fox trail hunting on Ministry of Defence land.

This Government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation, including the banning of trail hunting. Licenses to trail hunt on Ministry of Defence (MOD) land are currently under Ministerial review. To date, no licenses to trail hunt on MOD land have been granted for the 2024-25 hunting season, pending Ministerial review. The MOD is in discussion with other Government Departments on this policy and we hope to provide an update on progress shortly.