Applications to join Armed Forces rising, with Royal Navy at an eight-year high

Applications to join the Armed Forces have increased, the Defence Secretary has said, amid rising tensions around the globe.

Grant Shapps said the Royal Navy had received an eight-year high in applications, while the British Army had seen a six-year high.

He also stated that the Royal Air Force was experiencing an increase in potential recruits.

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Mr Shapps did not put a number on the applications received, but his hopes of "making progress" on recruitment come after warnings that military personnel are leaving faster than they can be replaced.

Speaking as MPs discussed military action to protect Red Sea shipping, Conservative MP Alec Shelbrooke said there was "concern about the stretch" on the Royal Navy.

 "It is a world-class leading Navy, but it is suffering from personnel issues to crew the ships," he told the Commons.

"I think the responsibility of this does lie back at the Treasury in being able to provide the revenue streams that are needed to make sure that capital equipment can be used most effectively."

The Defence Secretary said £288.6bn was being made available for equipment over the next 10 years and that must be matched by having enough personnel to use it.

He added: "I have some good news for him, which is we've seen ... an eight-year high in applications to the Royal Navy, a six-year high in applications to the Army and 42% increase this January to last January in applications to join the Royal Air Force.

"So I predict we're making progress."

Government figures show there were 185,980 service personnel in the Armed Forces as of July 2023.

The combined full-time trained strength of the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines and Royal Air Force, and the full-time trade trained strength of the Army was 132,350, a decrease of 3,830 compared to July 2022.

Recent figures released by the Ministry of Defence show there has been a 32% decrease in military personnel since the year 2000 after a combination of cuts and recruitment challenges.