Military gap years will be introduced for school and college leavers before the next general election, the defence secretary has confirmed to ITV News.
The UK has been investing heavily in defence since Russia invaded Ukraine, in a bid to be prepared should a wider war break out in Europe – but all three branches of the UK armed forces are currently below their target size, and recruitment has proved a struggle.
The Strategic Defence Review (SDR), commissioned by Prime Minister Keir Starmer upon taking office, recommended several policies aimed at making the UK "warfighting ready" because the "threat we now face is more serious and less predictable than at any time since the Cold War".
Part of that plan is to "end the hollowing out of the UK’s Armed Forces" by hitting staffing targets, which would involve hiring at least 8,590 personnel.
The SDR said Ministry of Defence officials should look at the voluntary military gap year model used in Australia, when considering how to find more recruits.
Now Defence Secretary John Healey has confirmed to ITV News that he’s accepted the recommendation and wants the scheme introduced before the next general election, which is expected by 2029.
The aim of the policy is to get young people interested in a future military career, while also giving them life skills and military training.
"What we’ve got to do is close the gap between those who volunteer to keep us safe and the rest of society," he said.
"And I want to see a gap year scheme brought in so that those who choose, after leaving school or leaving college, can spend a year in the military, get some great skills and experience.
"And potentially other countries do that. We can do that here as well."
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