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UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has promised a shake-up of HM Armed Force’s ethnicity, diversity and inclusivity policies, after it was revealed that the British Army would look towards reducing security clearance requirements for overseas applicants.
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Shapps took to Twitter to announce the review, pledging to improve standards and boost cohesion in the British Armed Forces.
The announcement follows reports that the British Army would look towards reducing security clearance requirements for overseas applicants under the 2023 Race Action Plan.
“I am committed to improving the working conditions and morale of all those who work in the military and Ministry of Defence. This is not only the right thing to do but is key to improving recruitment and retainment in our forces,” Shapps posted.
“This extremist culture has crept in over years and it is time for a proper shake-up, designed to refocus the military on its core mission – being a lethal fighting force. I am therefore commissioning a root-and-branch review of ethnicity, diversity and inclusivity policies in defence. It is time for common sense instead of divisiveness.
“At a time when the world faces a threat as serious as any time in the last 50 years, I can confirm that it is inconceivable that I would allow a lowering of standards on security clearance.”
The review comes months after it was revealed that the Royal Air Force illegally discriminated against white candidates.
Media reports have confirmed that 31 white male applicants have received payouts from the UK Armed Forces for being unfairly treated during the recruitment phase.
Meanwhile, last year, leaked emails surfaced detailing active discrimination against white males in the Royal Air Force who were looking to advance their military careers by participating in military courses.
The emails said of the personnel, “I don't really need to see loads of useless white male pilots”, and suggested halting application interviews for the courses until sufficient minority and female candidate applications had been received.
The Defence Secretary expects that the review into ethnicity, diversity and inclusivity policies will improve cohesion and decrease division in the Armed Forces amid ongoing recruitment woes.
The UK government recently announced that it would deploy 20,000 personnel from across the three services under Exercise Steadfast Defender, joining thousands from across NATO and Sweden.
“We are in a new era and we must be prepared to deter our enemies, prepared to lead our allies and prepared to defend our nation whenever the call comes,” Shapps announced.
“Today, our adversaries are busily rebuilding their barriers. Old enemies are reanimated. Battle lines are being redrawn. The tanks are literally on Ukraine’s lawn. And the foundations of the world order are being shaken to their core. We stand at a crossroads.”
