Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson announced the change Thursday, saying "the idea that we are excluding half the population from some of these most vital roles potentially holds our armed forces back." Although women have served alongside special forces for many years, in support roles such as intelligence and as medics, they will now be able to apply for selection in the same way their male colleagues do. In a twitter post, British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said he was “delighted” to announce what he called a “truly defining moment.”

“Our Armed Forces will now be determined by ability alone and not gender,” he tweeted. “Opening all combat roles to women will not only make the armed forces a more modern employer, but will ensure we recruit the right person for the right role,” Williamson said. UK says women can serve in combat roles in army, marines

LONDON (AP) — Women can now serve in all roles in Britain's military, including front-line combat units and the special forces.
The United Kingdom opens all combat roles in the British Armed Forces, including special forces, to women for the first time.