A University of Chester report has revealed the employment struggles faced by partners of Armed Forces personnel.

The study, titled 'Exploring the Employment Experiences of Serving Partners,' highlights the unique challenges these individuals face due to the nature of military life.

Regular postings, operational deployments, limited access to childcare, and employers' perceptions of military partners all impact their employment experiences.

The 12-month study, which cost approximately £100,000, was funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

It involved the active participation of military partners at every stage of the project.

The study aimed to understand the employment experiences of both accompanied and unaccompanied partners of regular Armed Forces serving personnel.

It also explored the barriers they face and potential solutions to improve their employment opportunities.

The principal investigator was Professor Alan Finnegan, director of nursing and military health, and the lead researcher was Dr Gemma Carr.

The report makes eight recommendations, including recognising military partner status as a protected characteristic within employment law and policy, considering partner employment in new postings, and improving the Employer Recognition Scheme.

Other suggestions include giving higher priority to partners' employment, providing priority childcare places on camp for military families, and granting access to IT facilities for partners.

Dr Gemma Carr said: "The effects of service on a partner’s career have been cited as the most negative aspect of service life.

"This project enabled military partners to present their lived experiences.

"The impact of this project has the landscape to improve employment experiences for partners, who often sacrifice the most."

The University of Chester’s Westminster Centre for Research in Veterans supports the military community through 'innovative and high-quality' research, educational provision, and community engagement.