Last week, the Strategic Defence Review containing the Government’s plans to rebuild our armed forces was unveiled. We also voted on an Armed Forces’ Commissioner Bill. The Commissioner will be an independent person for serving personnel and their families to raise problems and grievances with. The Commissioner will have full powers to investigate issues that are brought up and will report directly to Parliament.
Just before we voted on that Bill, I brought my first ’10 Minute Rule Bill’ to propose a similar Commissioner for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA).
Founded in 1905, this year marks the 120th anniversary of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
Living right near Falmouth Docks where they are maintained and repaired, I have seen RFA ships come in and out of Falmouth Bay for years. The RFA are non-military merchant navy sailors who support and supply the Royal Navy and Marines. A lot of their work happens behind the scenes – they don’t often make the headlines – but they are absolutely vital to UK defence, maritime power, and humanitarian and disaster relief.
The RFA refuels warships at sea. It delivers ammunition, supplies, food, and water and RFA ships have been deployed into warzones for years.
Recent RFA deployments have included anti-narcotics missions in the Caribbean; disaster relief to Haiti following the earthquakes in 2010 and 2021; anti-people smuggling operations in the Mediterranean; and the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza. I remember watching the RFA Argus depart in September 2014 to deploy off the west coast of Africa during the Ebola epidemic. She provided crucial medical equipment, supplies and food, and transported doctors, nurses and military personnel.
The RFA Proteus was instrumental in responding to the security threat to vital subsea cables posed by the Russian vessel Yantar in the North Sea last November.
RFA personnel are incredibly hard-working, committed and courageous. But due to the unique nature of their service they often don’t receive the same level of protection and recognition as the forces.
In recent years, the RFA has faced challenges. Resources are stretched, and the RFA has taken on more and more jobs previously done by the Royal Navy, despite crew shortages and an ageing fleet. Terms and conditions have historically been poor with 4-month sea tours the norm and pay cut in real terms by 30% since 2010. Only 6 of 11 RFA ships are currently operational and skilled positions are understaffed by 30-50%. The UK Carrier Strike group in the Pacific Ocean is relying on the Norwegian Navy for Solid Support capacity due to the RFA Fort Victoria being non-operational.
This is starting to improve with a new pay deal agreed by this Government this year. Alongside a pay increase, there was a commitment to improved terms and conditions including reducing the length of assignments. Hopefully that will help with recruitment and retainment of personnel and it was good to hear the Defence Secretary affirm his commitment to the RFA in the Defence Review Statement. It is crucial for UK security and impact on the world stage that the RFA is properly resourced.
I introduced the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (Report on Commissioner) Bill to the House because, as the Armed Forces Commissioner will be an independent point of contact for armed forces personnel, so there should be an equivalent for the RFA.
The Armed Forces Commissioner follows through on the promise made by this Labour Government to renew the contract between the nation and those who serve. That contract should not end at the gates of a naval base, or the stern of an auxiliary ship – it should also recognise the service of RFA personnel. To support our Forces, we also need to support those who enable them to do what they do.
Also, partners and children of those personnel, both forces and RFA, who are alone for long stretches of time, should also have access to the independent support of a Commissioner. We know that service takes a toll not just on those in uniform but on those around them – they need that support and scaffolding too. I’m all too aware of this as a former Navy wife.
We need to provide RFA personnel with all the support they need, plus decent pay, conditions, career progression and modern vessels to reflect the importance of the role they play in an ever-changing and dangerous world, now more than ever.
The RFA are a vital part of the UK’s armed forces, but were badly let down by the last Government
