UK Armed Forces recruitment has overtaken personnel outflow for the first time in almost four years, according to figures released by the Ministry of Defence in a written parliamentary answer.
Responding to a question from Conservative MP Matt Vickers, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Louise Sandher-Jones said that “for the first time since early 2021, Armed Forces intake is now greater than outflow”.
She told Parliament that in the 12 months to 1 October 2025, “there was an increase of 13% in people joining the Armed Forces compared to the previous 12-month period”, while at the same time “there was a decrease of 8% in people leaving the Armed Forces”.
The minister added that application levels are also rising, saying the Armed Forces “continue to see increased numbers of applications”.
While welcoming the figures, Sandher-Jones cautioned that challenges remain. “These trends are very welcome, but we recognise that there is still more to do,” she said.
She said the government remains focused on workforce stability across defence, adding: “We are committed to improving recruitment and retention through a range of targets, initiatives and measures and we are making a positive impact.”
The figures come amid wider efforts by the Ministry of Defence to address long-standing recruitment and retention pressures, as defence leaders warn that personnel numbers are critical to sustaining readiness.
This is good news. The pay rise and the serious attempt to solve Armed Forces housing seems to be having the desired effect. There is no point expanding numbers until we have full manning for the numbers we have. Hopefully that point can be reached quite quickly and we can get back to a 100k army as soon as possible.
There are zero plans to increase the regular army back up to 100k. Not so bad if we had enough IFV, artillery and tanks
Which we don’t.
Meh, make sure the RAF and RN have enough manpower and equipment, the army can be a distant third for all I care
You’re correct, there aren’t. The 100k that Rob references has been stated clearly as including the Army Reserve.
Agree on the RN, RAF first doctrine, though that doesn’t mean I want the Army degraded further, it’s too small and needs more mass just like the other services.
I hope this is a genuine desire to join the services and not, as is not uncommon, a recation to falling vacancies and the biggest increase in unemployment in nearly five years. Good luck to them all.
The unfortunate reality is that hard times tend to see an uptick in armed forces recruitment. There’s a good reason most armed forces recruits are from the more deprived areas of the UK. Stable, secure work is the main appeal, especially when it comes with discount schemes and accommodation.
It’s arguably the main reason the US government doesn’t want universal healthcare or free university – I can’t remember the exact numbers, but the reasons given for joining up by most of their recruits were tuition fees and insurance. The lesson here is that in peacetime, the armed forces need to offer a compelling enough package to make the sacrifices worthwhile; patriotism without a clear and present threat isn’t enough.
I think you’re on to something there. Historically, joining the armed forces was seen as a route out of poverty and destitution. Over the years, monies previously allocated to the military has been sapped away into the welfare state to help resolve the very problems that encouraged people to join up in the first place.
That is by no means a criticism of this fact, just an observation. It’s good that fewer people are forced to do things because of poverty! On the other hand, as a country that has relied entirely on volunteers, except in the direst of circumstances, it is a bit of a conundrum.
Same story as the other week, does the MOD re release this type of stuff to make look like they are on top of things. Will we get a story about better accommodation soon?. All it means is any joining the Artillery can stand around more waiting for some 155mm guns to train on and to man/women the only two working MLRS A2’s we have. Which are not yet even in the UK they were at White Sands. Its good news though but the military do well in hard times which when the nations un employment etc is up.
A positive report at least.
Now are there more detailed breakdowns as in which service and what trades? Probably not?