The UK defence secretary has stated that outdated policies will be eliminated in an effort to address the recruitment challenges confronting the armed forces.
During his address at the Labour Party Conference, John Healey announced that the government intends to revoke the prohibition on individuals with asthma or severe acne from enlisting in the army.
A Ministry of Defence policy from 2019 stated: “Candidates with acne that may affect the ability to wear military clothing or to operate military equipment should normally be graded UNFIT, or entry should be deferred until the disease has been successfully treated.”
Healey stated that over 100 regulations that hinder “the brightest and the best” from serving due to conditions such as hay fever, eczema, and other health issues will be abolished.
During his address in Liverpool, Healey also announced initiatives aimed at accelerating the recruitment process and eliminating “bottlenecks” and “unnecessary red tape.” These measures are intended to prevent the rejection of high-quality candidates or their withdrawal from the application process due to avoidable delays.
The government reports that the British Army is currently at its smallest size in two centuries, with a higher number of personnel departing than enlisting. While it is optimistic that the 6% salary increase announced in July will enhance recruitment efforts, there is a desire to implement additional measures to increase personnel numbers.
The government has committed to extending a provisional offer to prospective candidates within a span of 10 days and to confirm a training commencement date within 30 days.
Healey also called upon computer gamers and technology specialists to contribute to the nation’s cyber defence efforts, emphasizing the intention to establish a new expedited application process for these individuals. He stated: “If you are a top gamer – your country needs you.”
The “cyber track” initiative will implement distinct foundational training protocols and selection criteria compared to other divisions of the armed forces. Healey further remarked: “We will develop an Armed Forces that attracts the finest British talent. More capable in combat. More representative of the nation it serves.”
