Minister acknowledges Royal Navy 'recruitment challenges'
The Government is "absolutely committed to supporting defence jobs across the piece", according to the UK's Minister for Defence Procurement.
James Cartlidge acknowledged to the Commons the recruitment challenges currently facing Britain's Armed Forces, saying: "Obviously we have recruitment challenges in terms of our personnel but we also have to support British industry and that is why we have the Secretary of State leading in his role as shipbuilding tsar."
The defence minister's assurances come after reports that the Royal Navy was offering a bounty of ÂŁ500 to personnel who refer a candidate to the service.
Meanwhile, the Defence Secretary has reassured MPs the UK could continue supporting the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian, protecting trade ships as they journey through the Red Sea and towards the Suez Canal and Europe.
Grant Shapps was asked by SNP defence spokesman Martin Docherty-Hughes "how sustainable" it was that the UK would be able to support joint operations "when we have seen an increasing number of sailors leave the service, and have seen the intake to replace them in the 12 months to March 2023 plunge by 22.1%".
The Telegraph newspaper has reported the Navy has been forced to turn to private contractor Serco in order to recruit deckhands because of a lack of new sailors.
"It is true that we actually complete all our operation requirements at the moment," Mr Shapps said.
"But he is right to say there is a very tight labour market and I think that is actually a subject for celebration in this House that we are seeing such low sustained unemployment even through some pretty turbulent times.
"But, of course, we will be redoubling our efforts to ensure that all of our services can recruit the people that they need."
Mr Shapps' assurances follow reports that suggested HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark could be retired to free up sailors for other vessels, amid the recruitment crisis.
The Telegraph reported the Navy was going to decommission the two assault ships in order to crew its new Type 26 frigates.
Richard Drax, a Conservative MP for South Dorset, told MPs that defence minister Mr Cartlidge could make the decision to retain the two vessels.
"Could he reassure the House and the Royal Marines, and the Royal Navy and the Armed Forces that these two vital ships will be kept and not in operation and not mothballed?" Mr Drax asked.
In response, Mr Cartlidge said "no final decision has been made on these platforms".
"I know there has been a lot of coverage in the press and a lot of chatter inevitably," he said.
"I know how important they are to our service personnel, but I want to reassure him that we are looking at this in the round."
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