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BRIEFING PAPER

Number CBP7930, 26 September 2019

UK Defence Personnel Statistics

By Noel Dempsey

Contents: 1. Understanding military

personnel statistics 2. UK Armed Forces 3. UK Regular Forces diversity 4. UK Regular Forces: inflow

and outflow 5. Reservists 6. Location of personnel 7. Recruitment by

constituency

2 UK Defence Personnel Statistics

Contents 1. Understanding military personnel statistics 3

The 2015 SDSR targets 3

2. UK Armed Forces 4 2.1 Trained strength 4 2.2 Operational Pinch Points 6

3. UK Regular Forces diversity 6 3.1 Gender 6 3.2 Ethnicity 7 3.3 Age 7 3.4 Religion 7

4. UK Regular Forces: inflow and outflow 8

5. Reservists 9 5.1 Future Reserves 2020 9

6. Location of personnel 11

7. Recruitment by constituency 12

A full glossary of terms and abbreviations used in this paper are available via: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/569187/Tri-Service_Glossary_-_Nov16.pdf

Data contained in the Appendix of this paper can be downloaded as an Excel file via: https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/CBP-7930

Cover page image copyright: Soldiers from 1 Rifles on Patrol in Afghanistan attributed to Jonathan Chandler (Defence Images) – licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 2.0 Generic, image cropped

3 Commons Library Briefing, 26 September 2019

1. Understanding military personnel statistics

There are three main ways to measure the number of military personnel (also known as strength): the total full-time UK Armed Forces, total full-time trained UK Armed Forces, or the total full-time UK Regular Forces.

The total full-time UK Armed Forces is the most comprehensive of the three measures. It comprises trained and untrained members of the UK Regular Forces, Gurkhas, and full-time reserve service personnel (FTRS).1

The total full-time trained UK Armed Forces is perhaps the most important measure as this is what the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review (2015 SDSR) personnel targets are based on.

The 2015 SDSR targets The 2015 SDSR indicated that the required number of full-time trained UK Armed Forces personnel by 2020 would be 144,200.

The 2015 SDSR also re-affirmed the Government’s commitment2 to increase the size of the trained strength of the reserve forces (known as Future Reserves 2020) to 35,060 personnel.

Trained strength (or trade-trained strength in the Army) comprises military personnel who have completed Phase 1 and Phase 2 training:

Phase 1 includes all new entry training to provide basic military skills.

1 See this glossary for detailed definitions 2 Ministry of Defence, Reserves in the Future Force 2020, July 2013

2015 SDSR strength targets

Full-time Reserve

Royal Navy/Royal Marines 30,450 3,100Army 82,000 30,100Royal Air Force 31,750 1,860Total 144,200 35,060

Source: MOD, SDSR 2015 Defence Key Facts

Trained strength targets of the full-time UK Armed Forces and Future Reserves 2020 by 2020

4 UK Defence Personnel Statistics

Phase 2 includes initial individual specialisation, sub-specialisation and technical training following Phase 1 prior to joining the (trade) trained strength.

Changes to trained strength

In June 2016 the Ministry of Defence announced that the Army planned to use Phase 1 trained Regular and Reserve personnel in response to crises within the UK. From 1 October 2016 Army personnel who completed Phase 1 of training, but not Phase 2, were considered trained. The Royal Navy/Royal Marines and the Royal Air Force (along with their reserve services) were not affected by this change.3 Army personnel who have completed Phase 1 and Phase 2 training are called ‘trade-trained’. This population aligns with the old definition of trained personnel and maintains the continuity of statistical time series. Ministry of Defence statistical bulletins continue to show figures on those that are trade trained (except for Army Future Reserves 2020 where trade trained figures are not provided after 1 October 2016.) The trained strength (Phase 1 and Phase 2) of the Royal Navy/Royal Marines and the Royal Air Force, and the trade-trained strength of the Army (Phase 1 and Phase 2), is what is counted against the annual liabilities and the 2015 SDSR target for 2020. For Future Reserve 2020 targets, Phase 1 trained Army reserve personnel are counted, whereas it is Phase 1 and Phase 2 trained personnel for the Royal Navy/Royal Marine and Royal Air Force reserve.

2. UK Armed Forces The total strength of the full-time UK Armed Forces (trained and untrained) at 1 July 2019 was just over 152,000. Most personnel were within the Army (56%) with the remainder being equally split between the Royal Navy/Royal Marines and the RAF.

Across all services there were 29,600 Officers (19%) and 122,700 personnel with other ranks (81%). The distribution of Officers to other ranks varied across each service: around a quarter of all RAF personnel were an officer (24%) compared to less than a fifth (17%) in the Army.

2.1 Trained strength As at 1 July 2019 all branches of the UK Armed Forces were below the 2015 SDSR target for 2020. The full-time trained strength of the UK Armed Forces was 134,456 which is a shortfall of 10,744 (7%). The Army had the largest proportional shortfall (9%) and the Royal Navy/Royal Marines the smallest (4%).

3 Ministry of Defence, UK armed forces quarterly service personnel statistics: 1

January 2019

Note!

For the remainder of this paper the term trained strength will be used to mean any personnel who have completed Phase 1 and Phase 2 of training unless otherwise specified.

5 Commons Library Briefing, 26 September 2019

While the 2015 SDSR targets indicated the required level of trained personnel by 2020, the Defence Planning Round (DPR) for the three services determine the number of trained UK Armed Forces personnel required each quarter to execute military tasks. The requirements set out by the DPR are shown in the chart below.

On the 1 April 2000 the trained requirement (determined by the DPR) for the UK Armed Forces was 198,000 personnel, although the actual trained strength was 190,000 (a shortfall of around 8,000). The requirement needed at 1 April 2019 was 144,000 (a drop of around 27% compared to 2000).

UK Armed Forces trained strength

Army RN/RM RAF Total

2015 SDSR Target 82,000 30,450 31,750 144,200Trained strength 74,437 29,090 29,929 133,456Surplus/Deficit -7,563 -1,360 -1,821 -10,744

% of target -9% -4% -6% -7%

Source: Ministry of Defence, UK Armed Forces Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics: 1 July 2019

Full-time trained UK Armed Forces personnel against the 2015 SDSR target, 1 July 2019

UK Armed Forces trained requirementFull-time trained UK Armed Forces personnel against requirement, at 1 April

Source: Ministry of Defence, UK Defence Statistics Compendium (2006, 2007 and 2012); Ministry of Defence, UK Armed Forces Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics: 1 April 2019

Redundancy programme

Deficit

140,000

160,000

180,000

200,000

2000 2003 2006 2009 2012 2015 2018

Trained strength

Requirement

6 UK Defence Personnel Statistics

2.2 Operational Pinch Points The surplus/shortfall in the strength of the full-time trained UK Armed Forces against the requirement is one indicator of the Armed Forces ability to execute military tasks. Other indicators include the surplus/shortfall in key trades or ranks: these are known as Operational Pinch Points (OPPs).

An OPP is when ‘shortfalls in the trained strength of a branch specialisation, sub-specialisation or area of expertise need to be mitigated to prevent a measurable, detrimental impact on current, planned or contingent operations’.4

The latest Ministry of Defence annual report shows that there were 35 OPPs in April 2018 across the Armed Forces. Broken down by service the number of OPPs are5:

Army: Six, down three since April 2018 and mainly relate to logistics roles.

Royal Navy/Royal Marines: 16, down three since April 2018 and mainly relate to engineering roles.

RAF: Seven, the same as in April 2018 and mainly relate to intelligence roles and air operations controllers.

3. UK Regular Forces diversity Data on the diversity is published twice a year and focuses on the diversity of the UK Regular Forces rather than the wider UK Armed Forces.

3.1 Gender At 1 April 2019 there were 15,340 women in the UK Regular Forces and accounted for 11% of the total trained and untrained strength.6 The proportion of women in the UK Regular Forces has increased over the past few years. At 1 April 1990 women accounted for around 6% of the total UK Regular Forces7; by 1 April 2000 this proportion was around 8%. Since 2000 the share of women in the Regular Forces has increased almost every year.

4 Ministry of Defence, Annual Report and Accounts 2018-19, p. 74 5 Ibid 6 Ministry of Defence, UK armed forces biannual diversity statistics: 1 April

2019, table 1 7 Ministry of Defence, UK Defence Statistics Compendium 2009, p. 65

Note!

The UK Regular Forces make up the largest proportion of the UK Armed Forces – around 95% as at 1 April 2019.

7 Commons Library Briefing, 26 September 2019

The 2015 SDSR stated that by 2020 at least 15% of the intake to the UK Regular Forces should be female. In the 12 months to 31 March 2019, 10% of the total intake was female.8 On 8 July 2016 David Cameron (the then Prime Minister) announced that women would be allowed to serve in close combat roles by 2018. This was achieved on the 25 October 2018 when Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced that all roles in the military are open to women.9

3.2 Ethnicity As at 1 April 2019 around 8% of personnel (11,180) identified as belonging to a non-white ethnic group. The Army had the highest proportion (12%), followed by the Royal Navy/Marines (4%) and RAF (3%). As with women, the total proportion of non-white ethnic groups personnel across the UK Regular Forces has increased over recent years: on 1 April 2000 around 1% of personnel identified as belonging to a non-white ethnic group.

The 2015 SDSR stated that by 2020 at least 10% of the intake to the UK Regular Forces should be personnel belonging to a non-white ethnic group. In the 12 months to 31 March 2019, 8% of total intake were personnel from a non-white ethnic group.10

3.3 Age At 1 April 2019 24% of UK Regular Forces personnel were under the age of 25. The average age of all Officers was 37, while the average age of all other ranks was 30. The overall average age was 31.11

3.4 Religion At 1 April 2019 68% of UK Regular Forces personnel declared a Christian religion. Around 29% of personnel declared no religion. The next largest religion declared was Hindu (1%) followed by Islam (0.4%). Other faiths (Druid, Pagan, Rastafarian, Spiritualist, Zoroastrian, Wicca, Baha'i and others) accounted for 0.8%.12

8 Ibid, table 7 9 Ministry of Defence, Historic day for the military as all roles are opened to

women, 25 October 2018 10 Ministry of Defence, UK armed forces biannual diversity statistics: 1 April

2019, table 8 11 Ibid, table 3 12 Ibid, table 4

8 UK Defence Personnel Statistics

4. UK Regular Forces: inflow and outflow

The chart below shows the total flow of personnel into and out of the UK Regular Forces for each year between 2000 and 2019. Inflow comprises entrants, re-entrants, direct trained entrants (including professionally qualified officers), transfers to the Army from the Gurkhas and from the reserves. Outflow includes trained and untrained personnel leaving the service, deaths, and recalled reservists on release. It does not include promotions (from other ranks to officers) or flows between services.

During the period shown, total inflow and outflow have both decreased over time. Inflow to the UK Regular Forces has decreased from 25,550 in 2000 to 12,485 in 2019 (a 51% reduction) and outflow decreased from 26,620 in 2000 to 14,633 in 2019 (45% reduction). Between 2000 and 2019 inflow has only been higher than outflow for four years.

In the 12 months to 31 March 2019 the Army had the highest inflow and outflow of personnel: 6,985 people entered the Army and 9,046 personnel left.

UK Regular Forces inflow and outflowFull-time trained and untrained personnel, 12 months to 31 March

Source: Ministry of Defence, UK Defence Statistics Compendium (2004, 2005, 2007 and 2012); Ministry of Defence, UK Armed Forces Annual Personnel Report 2013; Ministry of Defence, UK Armed Forces Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics: 1 April 2019

Netflow

Inflow

Redundancy programme

Outflow

-16,000

-8,000

0

8,000

16,000

24,000

32,000

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2019

9 Commons Library Briefing, 26 September 2019

5. Reservists Reservists are civilians who commit to train a set number of days per year and may be mobilised/called into permanent service for a set period (usually no more than 12 months). They may train and deploy alongside Regular Forces on operations in the UK or overseas. Reservists are paid while training and deployed.

Each of the three services has a reserve element: Army Reserve13, Maritime Reserve (comprising the Royal Navy Reserve and Royal Marines Reserve) and the RAF Reserve.

Reservists may also serve in Joint Forces Command, for example in the Joint Cyber Reserve Force.

In addition to the volunteer Reserves are the Regular Reserves: former personnel who retain a liability (obligation) to be called up for service in times of need are known as Regular Reserves.

The terms used for reservists can be confusing although a couple of categories worth mentioning: Mobilised Reservists are Volunteer or Regular Reserves who have been called into permanent service under the Reserve Forces Act 1996. Then there is a separate category of reservists who work full-time for a set period. These are known as Full-Time Reserve Service (FTRS) personnel and are used differently by each service and may have different commitments.

A glossary of terms used for reservists in the quarterly personnel statistical bulletins is available here.

Further information on Armed Forces Reserves, including commentary on Government policy since 2010 and current issues, can be found in a Lords Library briefing paper Armed Forces Reserves.

5.1 Future Reserves 2020 The Future Reserves 2020 (FR2020) refers to the programme begun under the Coalition Government (2010-15) to expand the size of the trained element of the Armed Forces Reserves, increase the circumstances in which they might be deployed, and better integrate the reserves with the regulars.

This policy was driven by the findings of an independent commission into the Reserves in 2011 and encapsulated in a 2013 White Paper ‘Reserves in Future Force 2020: valuable and valued’

13 The volunteer element of the Army Reserve used to be known as the

‘Territorial Army’.

10 UK Defence Personnel Statistics

(Cm 8655).14 The Defence Reform Act 2014 removed limitations on how the Reserves could be used and changed the name of the Territorial Army to Army Reserve.

The Ministry of Defence provided revised trained strength targets for the Reserves in November 2016 (HCWS248), revising those announced in December 2013.

The original December 2013 target was based on the number of trained personnel (those who have passed Phase 1 and Phase 2 training). Following the change in definition of the trained strength for the UK Regular Army and Army Reserve in 2016, the measurement/target for the Army Reserve is based on those who have passed Phase 1 only. The Maritime and RAF Reserves targets were unchanged.15

The November 2016 statement set the trained strength targets for 31 March 2019 at 35,060 personnel: 30,100 personnel for the Army Reserve, 3,100 personnel for the Maritime Reserve, and 1,860 personnel for the RAF Reserve.

The RAF Reserve is the only element of the FR2020 to have achieved its targeted strength. The Maritime Reserve is close to achieving its target - by 1 July 2019 it was shy of its 3,100 target by

14 See House of Commons Library briefing paper Future Reserves 2020 for

more on the White Paper 15 Ministry of Defence, SDSR UK Resilience: trained strength definition for the

army and resultant changes to Ministry of Defence armed forces personnel statistics, 11 July 2016, p. 2

Future Reserves 2020Trained personnel only

Source: Ministry of Defence, UK Armed Forces Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics: 1 July 2019

Maritime reserve

RAF reserve

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

Oct2012

Oct2014

Oct2016

Oct2018

Change in trained strength

Army reserve

17,500

20,000

22,500

25,000

27,500

30,000

Oct2012

Oct2014

Oct2016

Oct2018

11 Commons Library Briefing, 26 September 2019

270 personnel. The Army Reserve is currently missing its target by 3,100 personnel; this is despite the change in the trained strength measurement/target which occurred in October 2016. Overall, the trained strength of personnel within the FR2020 programme at 1 July 2019 was 32,500 – this is a deficit of 2,560 against the target.

6. Location of personnel The Ministry of Defence publish annual data on the stationed location of trained and untrained UK Regular Forces personnel.16

As at 1 April 2018 most personnel were stationed in the United Kingdom (around 93%). Of those stationed overseas the majority were in Europe (5%), followed by North America (0.8%) and North Africa and the Middle East (0.6%). A small proportion of personnel (0.6%) were stationed elsewhere in the world.

Within Europe (excluding the United Kingdom) most personnel were in Germany (3,350) and Cyprus (2,300). Around 900 personnel were stationed in Belgium, Gibraltar, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Norway, France and the Czech Republic.

Following the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review there has been a withdrawal of the UK’s personnel presence from Germany (a reduction of 15,500) with the aim to completely remove personnel by 2020.17

As at 1 April 2018 of those personnel stationed in the United Kingdom the large majority were in England (90%), 7% were stationed in Scotland, 2% were in Wales and 1% were in Northern Ireland. The most notable variations from these proportions among individual branches were that 13% of Royal Navy/Royal Marine personnel were in Scotland, and 3% of the Army were in Northern Ireland (with the Army accounting for 96% of all personnel present in Northern Ireland).

16 The stationed location for personnel in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines

who are on sea service is recorded as the location containing the home port of their ship. Members of the Royal Air Force serving in the South Atlantic are recorded against the location of their home base. Any other personnel who are deployed on operations are recorded against their most recent stationed location

17 Except for a small number of liaison and exchange posts.

12 UK Defence Personnel Statistics

7. Recruitment by constituency Ordinarily the Ministry of Defence does not produce or publish datasets at the constituency level. Previous Parliamentary Questions (PQ) requesting information by constituency have tended to be answered advising that the information is not held in the requested format.

On 11 December 2018 Mark Lancaster MP replied to a PQ from Liz Saville Roberts MP which provided information on the number of people recruited by constituency into the UK Regular Forces and Future Reserves 2020 (FR2020) since 2013.18 The following table and map presents a summary of this data.

18 PQ 198353 [Army recruitment by constituency], 3 December 2018

Recruitment by constituency: top 15

Under 18 Total FR2020 Total

Aldershot 30 210 25 240Richmond (Yorks) 40 195 30 225Hereford and South Herefordshire 50 175 55 225Lancaster and Fleetwood 45 160 40 200Salisbury 25 150 30 185Sleaford and North Hykeham 40 130 45 175Kingston upon Hull East 50 135 30 165Wigan 45 130 35 165Blackpool South 55 145 15 160Darlington 45 140 20 160Stockton North 35 130 30 160Thirsk and Malton 35 125 30 155Grantham and Stamford 25 120 35 155Ashford 30 115 35 150Lincoln 30 115 35 150

Source: PQ 198353 [Army recruitment by constituency], 3 December 2018

Regular Forces

Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 5; totals and sub-totals are rounded separately and so may not appear to be the sum of their parts

Untrained Offiers and Other Ranks intake to the Regular Forces and FR2020 by constituency (including the number of recruits aged under 18) between April 2013 and April 2018

RECRUITMENT TOTHE REGULAR

FORCESUntrained Officers and Other Ranks intake by constituency:

April 2013 to April 2018

Generally each constituency has had similar levels of recruitment to the UK Regular Forces, although there are two apparent exceptions. Constituencies in Yorkshire and the Humber, the North West and the South West have had higher levels of recruitment than elsewhere in Britain, and London has had much lower recruitment (accounting for a third of all 194 constituencies which had recruitment levels between 0-35). The five constituencies with the highest levels of recruitment are highlighted.

0 - 35 [194]36-70 [291]71-105 [120]106-140 [16]141-175 [4]176-210 [2]

Recruits

3. Hereford and SouthHerefordshire

5. Salisbury 1. Aldershot

4. Lancaster andFleetwood

2. Richmond(Yorks)

Note: Original data includes figures for the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Northern Ireland (as a whole, not by constituency).

Source: PQ198353 [Recruitment by constituency], 3 December 2

BRIEFING PAPER Number CBP7930 26 September 2019

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