PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(9 December 2024)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of working conditions in the Armed Forces on the (a) mental health and (b) familial relations of Armed Forces personnel.

Asked by:
Shaun Davies (Labour)

Defence considers its people to be its greatest asset and is committed to the health and wellbeing of our personnel and their families. We recognise that the unique nature of Service life can cause stress and strain.

We invest in, and act upon, mechanisms designed to understand the opinions and attitudes of Service personnel and their families. Through the annual Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) and Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FAMCAS) we gather information on the views and experiences of our personnel and their families, including topics such as morale and accommodation, which will impact on family life. The information from these surveys helps shape policies for training, support, and the terms and conditions of service.

All Service personnel can also access pastoral and welfare care from a variety of sources, including from within their Chain of Command, Service welfare organisations, contracted Social Work Services, Families Federations and, where appropriate, Service Charities. Specialist mental health support for Service personnel is also available, including on-demand digital resources, and in-person welfare establishments.

The latest AFCAS and FAMCAS data can be found at the following links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/armed-forces-continuous-attitude-survey-summaries.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tri-service-families-continuous-attitude-survey-summaries/tri-service-families-continuous-attitude-survey-2024-summary

Answered by:
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1 January 1970