Armed Forces (Flexible Working) Act 2018
| Act of Parliament | |
| Long title | An Act to make provision for members of the Regular Forces to serve part-time or subject to geographic restrictions. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2018 c. 2 |
| Introduced by | Michael Fallon MP, Secretary of State for Defence (Commons) Earl Howe (Lords) |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 8 February 2018 |
| Commencement | 30 June 2018 (by S.I. 2018/799) |
| Other legislation | |
| Amends | Armed Forces Act 2006 |
| History of passage through Parliament | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
The Armed Forces (Flexible Working) Act 2018 (c. 2) is an Act of Parliament, introduced by Earl Howe on behalf of the Government, relating to British Army which gives powers to the Defence Council of the United Kingdom to make regulations about geographically restricted service for regulars and the maximum number of occasions a 'regular' can be required to serve without such a geographic restriction.[1][2]
Intent
The goal of the legislation was to make the armed forces a more family-friendly employer so that the retention of members could be increased.[3]
Provisions
Flexible Service allows regular members of the armed forces to seek part-time work, reducing work routines by 20% or 40% equating to one or two days in a five-day working week and restricted separation from home base for no more than 35 days a year at the discretion of the Defence Council.[3][4]
Requests for flexible service are not guaranteed acceptance.[5][6]
Commencement
The legislation came into effect in 2019.[7]
References
- ^ Armed Forces (Flexible Working) Act 2018: Explanatory Notes (PDF). London: Ministry of Defence. p. 5.
- ^ "Armed Forces (Flexible Working) Act 2018 — UK Parliament". services.parliament.uk. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Did Parliament do anything that wasn't Brexit-related this year?". BBC News. 2 August 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ Bryce, Hannah (27 November 2017). "Could more women soldiers make the Army stronger?". BBC News. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "Flexible Service in the armed forces". GOV.UK. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ Kapila, Rhicha (12 February 2018). "COMMENT: How 'Flexible' Can The UK's Armed Forces Be?". Forces News. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "Part Time Opportunities Among Plans In New Military Flexible Working Law". Forces News. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2026.