Written questions by Dhesi.

What steps he is taking to improve retention rates in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are highly valued, specialist personnel. We are committed to listening to their concerns and keeping a continued dialogue to address the issues they have raised. Recruitment and retention of staff remains a priority for the RFA and is part of the Defence-wide initiative driven at Ministerial level through the recently established Recruitment and Retention Board. Work is ongoing to address the ongoing pay dispute raised by Maritime Trade Unions and to improve RFA terms and conditions of employment.Work is focussed on addressing issues in the short term, while also generating meaningful improvements to the RFA "offer" overall, to ensure it remains competitive in the long term. There are a number of initiatives in support of this which include updating working practices - such as part-time, flexible, and family-friendly arrangements - modernising allowances and pay, and shortening the timescales of recruitment.

What steps he is taking to improve retention rates in the Royal Navy.

The Royal Navy (RN) continues to meet its operational commitments, but tackling recruitment and retention challenges is a top priority.As part of a Defence-wide initiative driven at Ministerial level through the recently established Recruitment Retention Board, the RN has established a high-level Retention Steering Group to coordinate all retention activity, analyse outflow data and ensure that quicker action is taken to counter outflow trends. In support, the RN has generated a revised Retention Communications Plan, based on the results from Continuous Assessment Surveys, to demonstrate how it is reacting to workforce feedback.Areas such as improving earlier years career management for Officers and Ratings are being prioritised to address outflow peaks at three and six years length of service. In parallel, enhancing the lived experience for deployed personnel through improved health and wellbeing support, along with reviewing how our workforce is deployed in support of operational output to provide greater stability and reduce uncertainty, are also key initiatives.

What steps he is taking to improve retention rates in his Department.

The Ministry of Defence understands the importance of creating a positive working environment where all employees feel valued, included and motivated to contribute to the purpose of the Department. We have a stable turnover rate, and we are actively monitoring retention, particularly for key skill areas. We gain understanding of the lived experience of our staff through the People Survey and through Exit Surveys, and these have evidenced that our staff are committed to their work and our organisation. Where these surveys have identified areas for improvement, we have responded with a clear focus on the things that matter to our staff, actively promoting professional and leadership development, “our offer” of working in Defence as well as modernising our reward offer for a better employee experience.

What steps he is taking to improve retention rates in the Royal Air Force.

As part of a Defence-wide initiative driven at a Ministerial level through the recently established Recruitment and Retention Board, the RAF is taking many steps to address the workforce challenge and retain our personnel. A People Campaign Plan is underway, with several key initiatives, and the RAF is held to account for progress against this plan by a monthly Ministerial Recruitment and Retention Board. Retention initiatives include the establishment of working groups to improve the lived experience of our people, increased funding for welfare projects, investment in infrastructure to improve accommodation, and increased opportunities for through-career education and promotion. We know that when people have a positive lived experience at work, they feel valued and are more likely to want to remain in the organisation. These initiatives will help to ensure that our people feel invested in as talented professionals; they are capable, have a unified sense of purpose, and are provided with the leadership and resources they need to deliver their role to the best of their ability.

What steps he is taking to improve retention rates in the Army.

Retention is one of the Army’s top priorities, supported by Defence. A retention strategy has been launched to address barriers to retention through a wholistic set of financial and policy initiatives spanning the entire employee lifecycle. Supported by a dedicated annual retention fund, the strategy is held to account by the Army Personnel Campaign Board, chaired by Commander Home Command. This is part of a Defence-wide initiative driven at a ministerial level through the recently established Recruitment and Retention Board.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Questions 7840, 7842 and 7843 on Armed Forces: Private Education, whether he has held discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential merits of (a) introducing VAT exemptions for serving personnel making use of the Continuity of Education Allowance and (b) increasing the budget for the Continuity of Education Allowance to mitigate the impact of the planned introduction of VAT.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 October 2024 to Question 6838 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty).

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Questions 7840, 7842 and 7843 on Armed Forces: Private Education, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of imposing VAT on independent school fees on the number of service personnel in receipt of the Continuity of Education Allowance that may (a) change roles and (b) leave the military.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 October 2024 to Question 6838 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty).

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Questions 7840, 7842 and 7843 on Armed Forces: Private Education, whether he has made an estimate of the cost to the public purse of increasing the Continuity of Education Allowance to cover the introduction of VAT in private schools.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 October 2024 to Question 6838 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty).

How many service personnel receive the Continuity of Education Allowance.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises the unique circumstances faced by our serving personnel and that frequent mobility can disrupt children’s education. The Continuity of Education Allowance helps by providing the children of serving personnel with a stable education that would not otherwise be available in the state-maintained day school sector, due to their family’s mobility. For Academic Year 2023-24, the MOD paid £88.6 million for Continuity of Education Allowance to support the education of 4,005 children for 2,666 Service personnel.

What the annual cost to the public purse is of the Continuity of Education Allowance.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises the unique circumstances faced by our serving personnel and that frequent mobility can disrupt children’s education. The Continuity of Education Allowance helps by providing the children of serving personnel with a stable education that would not otherwise be available in the state-maintained day school sector, due to their family’s mobility. For Academic Year 2023-24, the MOD paid £88.6 million for Continuity of Education Allowance to support the education of 4,005 children for 2,666 Service personnel.

How many children are educated with financial assistance from the Continuity of Education Allowance.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises the unique circumstances faced by our serving personnel and that frequent mobility can disrupt children’s education. The Continuity of Education Allowance helps by providing the children of serving personnel with a stable education that would not otherwise be available in the state-maintained day school sector, due to their family’s mobility. For Academic Year 2023-24, the MOD paid £88.6 million for Continuity of Education Allowance to support the education of 4,005 children for 2,666 Service personnel.