In publishing the outcome of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) last October, the Government made a commitment in respect of Service Personnel to:
- ensure that service in the Armed Forces remains an attractive choice in a rapidly evolving employment market;
- better balance the demands placed on our people and their families, providing greater domestic stability which is central to spouses' employment and children's education, while continuing to support mobility where this is essential to Defence requirements.
The MOD recognises that the current employment model for Service Personnel has not changed significantly in over 40 years and requires updating to meet the needs of the Armed Forces of today and tomorrow. To address this and to fulfil the Government’s SDSR commitment, the MOD has set up a programme to develop a NEM.
The NEM programme will examine:
- The difference between what the Services offer against the expectations of Service Personnel and their families.Â
- The issues that we face in a climate of reducing resources.
- The operational requirement for greater agility, flexibility and joint capability from within a smaller force structure.
To properly examine these areas, the NEM programme has formed five project teams to focus on:
- Manpower Utilisation and Terms of Service.
- Financial and Non-Financial Conditions of Service
- Future Accommodation
- Training and Education
- NEM Delivery
The NEM projects will report their findings in the Autumn of 2012. These will be drawn together into a package of options for consideration by the Defence Board. Once they have been agreed, it is expected that implementation will start in 2014/15, with some measures taking up to 10 years to complete in full.
The Armed Forces will be an attractive employer that is able to offer people the adventure, excitement and responsibility that other employers find difficult to match. The NEM will ensure that we value and respect our people by offering them genuine, but realistic choices about the way they live their lives and pursue their careers.
Under the NEM the majority of Service Personnel should enjoy much greater stability. However, it is recognised that there will be an enduring requirement to assign people to different posts in different locations to deliver Operational Capability. A straightforward package of conditions will be developed to support this aspect of Service life.
The NEM will provide a welfare support package which includes access to Departmental, wider public and third sector (charity) services for Service Personnel, their families and veterans.
And finally, NEM will deliver an alternative approach to the provision of accommodation for Service Personnel, which will better meet future needs for good quality, affordable housing.
More information will be published as it becomes available.