Recommendation 3

Defra should, within six months, commission a sector-wide review, working in partnership with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, veterinary schools, and other major employers and representative bodies, including the British Veterinary Association, to build a robust evidence base on the drivers of retention challenges across the profession. This review should: • establish a consistent, data driven understanding of attrition across different sectors, career stages and geographies; • identify the key factors influencing retention, particularly in shortage areas such as public sector roles and rural practice; 23 • set out targeted, evidence-based interventions to improve retention in these sectors such as incentives, support packages, and career pathways; and • include clear metrics and baseline data for monitoring workforce distribution and attrition rates annually, alongside measurable targets for improvement. (Recommendation, Paragraph 14)