To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 57929 on Armed Force: Recruitment, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the new gap year schemes in attracting recruits from underrepresented backgrounds; and how success will be measured.
Answered on
2 July 2025
The Gap Year scheme is intended to provide a novel means of entry into the Armed Forces. This is an attractive voluntary employment scheme for school leavers, whatever their background. It will provide excellent military basic training that promotes teamwork, problem solving, and values. The training and experience gained will set up the individuals for life whether they decide to join the Armed Forces on completion or leave and have a civilian career. We will regularly assess the contribution the Gap Year makes to recruitment, including the background of those who engage, and the impacts on operational design. Full plans will be announced in due course.