Should conscription be enforced, new mums would likely be given a grace period.
Should conscription be enforced new mums would be likely given a grace period (file picture) (Image: Getty)
Fears are mounting that the UK could follow fellow European countries and roll out mandatory conscription as the drums of a possible war beat louder. Should gender equality conscription be introduced in the UK as it is in Denmark, new mums could be granted a three-month grace period before being called up for military service, if conscription rules followed the ones already existing within the army. The British Army says applications to join the military are delayed for women who are pregnant or have given birth within the previous three months. Under its pregnancy and maternity guidance, the Army states that servicewomen who discover they are pregnant must formally notify their Commanding Officer and Career Manager no later than the 15th week before their expected week of childbirth.
Female service personnel who become pregnant while deployed are returned to the UK to ensure they receive the necessary maternity care before and after childbirth. Women represent approximately 11.7% to 12% of the UK Regular Forces and since 2018, every combat role in the British Army has been open to women.
The government has repeatedly stated there are no plans for conscription but Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden previously said decisions may be needed in the future to respond to the “new reality” we are now living in. Lord Dannatt, the former head of the British Army, said existing military personnel would be called upon first in case a war involving the uk erupted before any broader civilian conscription was considered.
As global tensions continue to escalate, the UK is increasingly being viewed as lagging behind its European counterparts on defence preparedness, with Nato member states having reintroduced conscription amid growing security concerns. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting denied “kicking the can down the road” on defence spending, despite the Budget failing to outline a clear plan for meeting the UK’s target of spending 3% of GDP on defence by 2030.
Since 2018 every combat role in the British Army has been open to women (Image: Getty)
Speaking to the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Chancellor John Healey offered a “commitment” to the new NATO target of 3.5% defence spending by 2035, but failed to do so for the 3% goal.
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge voiced fears the 3% by 2030 goal could be missed. He told The Telegraph: “[The Chancellor] has a ‘commitment’ to 3.5% by 2035 but only a ‘target’ of 3% by 2030.
“Given how often this Government has missed its own ‘targets’, from housebuilding to spiralling energy bills, this will surely be another broken promise from Labour at a time when the threats are only growing.”