Thousands of potential recruits from Commonwealth turned away because 'no current vacancies'
The British Army has turned away thousands of potential Commonwealth recruits as there are no current vacancies available, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.
Responding to the request for information, the Army said that between 1 April 2023 and 9 February 2024, recruiters rejected some 7,704 aspiring soldiers.
The same information request shows the number has increased dramatically since 2019, when only 463 applicants were turned away, while the following year there was a huge spike, with 6,207 would-be recruits being told they could not join.
Between 2022 and 2023 the number reduced to 4,557 before reaching its current peak, with nearly a month until the regulatory year ends.
Answering written questions, Minister for Defence People Dr Andrew Murrison also revealed that a maximum of 1,350 Commonwealth citizens can join the Armed Forces annually.
Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell asked the Defence Secretary "whether he has taken steps to increase Armed Forces recruitment from Commonwealth countries".
Responding to the written question, Royal Naval Reservist Dr Murrison replied: "Commonwealth citizens have a long and distinguished history of service in the UK Armed Forces, and we continue to value the contribution they make."
He went on to say the recruitment of Commonwealth citizens is against the 1,350 per annum limit for the Armed Forces introduced on 5 November 2018, a 15% limit per Army cap badge, and the roles available.
He added that the current limits "remain extant, but are kept under review".
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