RAF recruitment under scrutiny
The Royal Air Force (RAF) have come under fire for recent developments that have claimed the force are ‘effectively pausing’ offering jobs to white males in an attempt to meet diversity targets. This would allegedly see more women and ethnic minorities employed to the force.
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| Credit: easterneye. |
As a result of the allegations, the RAF Head of Recruitment, who is a woman herself, has resigned from her post. This came amid concerns that any such restrictions on hiring, no matter how temporary or limited, could undermine the fighting strength of the RAF. They said the service was attempting to hit ‘impossible’ diversity targets.
Sources within the defence department have accused Air Chief
Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, Head of the RAF, of compromising UK security
in pursuit of goals such as improving diversity and inclusion. At a time when
international tensions are at a volatile state, watertight security is key.
An RAF spokesperson has disputed the allegations, saying
that there is no pause in recruitment and no new policy in regards to any recruitment
targets. This comes despite successive governments challenging all three armed
services – the RAF, the Army and the Royal Navy – to improve their diversity
statistics in, what has traditionally been, a predominately white, male area.
In response, the MOD has announced it aims to increase the
ratio of female recruits in general to 30% by 2030. The RAF were the first
service to open all roles to women and already has the highest ratio of
females. The target for ethnic minorities is to reach 20%, doubling the current
percentage of recruits is around 10%.