MOD recruitment freeze risks undermining wider defence mission

A recruitment freeze announced at the Ministry of Defence today, only worsens the situation at a government department that is already facing staffing and skills shortages, says Prospect.

Commenting on the news, Steve Thomas, Prospect Deputy General Secretary, said:

“The government is rightly promoting investment in our defence industry, but that industry is only as strong as the Ministry that supports it.

“The reality is that the MOD is already facing staffing and skills shortages, exacerbated by a significant and growing pay gap with the private sector.

“This recruitment freeze will only add to these concerns, piling huge pressure on talented but overworked specialist MOD staff whose services the government needs to retain.

“Government must urgently engage with Prospect and other unions about how we work towards a situation where MOD employment policies support the wider defence mission, rather than undermine it.”