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Defence Secretary reveals plan for 'radical shift' in Army reservists' role Philip Hammond plans 'radical shift' for Army reservists
(about 5 hours later)
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond is due to set out details of plans to boost the role of reservists in the Army. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has set out the details of plans to boost the role of reservists in the Army.
The government wants to double the size of the Territorial Army from 15,000 to 30,000 while the regular Army's strength is cut by 20,000 to 82,000.The government wants to double the size of the Territorial Army from 15,000 to 30,000 while the regular Army's strength is cut by 20,000 to 82,000.
Mr Hammond says the changes would mark a "radical shift" in the way reservists help to deliver the nation's security. Mr Hammond told a London audience the changes would mark a "radical shift" in how reservists help maintain security.
But Labour says that if more is going to be asked of reservists, ministers must provide extra support. Labour said that if more is going to be asked of reservists, ministers must provide extra support.
Under the changes Mr Hammond is proposing - which are being put forward for consultation - the Territorial Army would in future be known as the Army Reserves, to reflect its greater role. Under the changes Mr Hammond is proposing, which are being put forward for consultation, the Territorial Army would in future be known as the Army Reserves, to reflect its greater role.
Reservists' training would increase from 35 to 40 days a year - with the promise that if they meet their commitments they will be better equipped and funded. In a speech, the defence secretary promised future reservists that if they made the commitment to regular training and deployment, they would be made an "integral part" of the Army.
The Ministry of Defence says it will spend £1.8 billion over the next decade to make that possible.
Maximum military effect
Regular soldiers who leave the service will also be encouraged to join the reserves.
There's no escaping the fact that Philip Hammond's promise to boost the role of army reservists is a direct result of this government's cuts to the armed forces. Thousands of members of the TA have already been asked to deploy to Afghanistan and Iraq.There's no escaping the fact that Philip Hammond's promise to boost the role of army reservists is a direct result of this government's cuts to the armed forces. Thousands of members of the TA have already been asked to deploy to Afghanistan and Iraq.
In future, whole units and sub- units of reservists could take on roles normally carried out by regular troops, such as defending the Falklands. But reservists and their employers will also have to make greater sacrifices too.In future, whole units and sub- units of reservists could take on roles normally carried out by regular troops, such as defending the Falklands. But reservists and their employers will also have to make greater sacrifices too.
That is why the Defence Secretary has launched this consultation - to get business on side. The MoD says it has recently surveyed more than 1,000 employers and business leaders and 87% said they would be supportive if an employee were mobilised. That is why the defence secretary has launched this consultation - to get business on side. The MoD says it has recently surveyed more than 1,000 employers and business leaders and 87% said they would be supportive if an employee were mobilised.
But that is no guarantee they will be happy when their staff ask for months off work to step into those roles that were once the preserve of the regular army. Nor will it end the accusation that the government is trying to build an army on the cheap.But that is no guarantee they will be happy when their staff ask for months off work to step into those roles that were once the preserve of the regular army. Nor will it end the accusation that the government is trying to build an army on the cheap.
Ahead of the announcement on Thursday Mr Hammond said: "This is about using the resources we've got within a very difficult fiscal climate to deliver the maximum possible military effect. He said the changes were an "exciting proposition" for reservists. He said the government wanted people who were genuinely prepared to serve.
Mr Hammond said reservists would "become a fundamental part of how we provide military capacity".
They would, he said, be "part of a whole force - a whole force designed to ensure the nation's security".
Mr Hammond said the message to reservists would be: "Promise us you will make the commitment. Turn up regularly to train and be prepared to deploy. We promise to use you as an integral part of the British Army."
He also said there would be "greater opportunities for promotion" in the new arrangement.
The government says it will work with employers and give them more notice before staff are deployed.
Reservists' training would increase from 35 to 40 days a year - with the promise that if they met their commitments they would be better equipped and funded.
The Ministry of Defence said it would spend £1.8 billion over the next decade to make that possible.
"This investment will support an increase in our reserve forces to a trained strength in the Army Reserve of 30,000, the Maritime Reserve of 3,100 and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force of 1,800, all by 2018," said Mr Hammond.
Regular soldiers who leave the service will also be encouraged to join the reserves.
Speaking ahead of the announcement, Mr Hammond said: "This is about using the resources we've got within a very difficult fiscal climate to deliver the maximum possible military effect.
'Revitalisation' urged
"What we're talking about here is increasing the reserve component of our forces to bring it closer in line with our major allies, all of whom have a much bigger percentage of their forces in the reserve than we do.""What we're talking about here is increasing the reserve component of our forces to bring it closer in line with our major allies, all of whom have a much bigger percentage of their forces in the reserve than we do."
In a speech Mr Hammond is expected to promise future reservists that if they make the commitment to regular training and deployment, they will be made an "integral part" of the Army.
The government says it will work with employers - giving them more notice before staff are deployed.
Companies that support reservists on their staff could be awarded a badge similar to the kite mark in recognition of their efforts.Companies that support reservists on their staff could be awarded a badge similar to the kite mark in recognition of their efforts.
Employers' organisation the CBI says that while it is ready to help the government, it is disappointed by the lack of proper engagement on the issue so far.Employers' organisation the CBI says that while it is ready to help the government, it is disappointed by the lack of proper engagement on the issue so far.
Shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy said he was in favour of the enhancement of the role of the reserves, but insisted the government needed to go further in terms of supporting both them and their employers.Shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy said he was in favour of the enhancement of the role of the reserves, but insisted the government needed to go further in terms of supporting both them and their employers.
"If more is going to be asked of reservists, ministers must provide more support," he said."If more is going to be asked of reservists, ministers must provide more support," he said.
"Anti-discrimination legislation, improved pre-deployment training and better mental healthcare are vital."Anti-discrimination legislation, improved pre-deployment training and better mental healthcare are vital.
"At a difficult time for many companies, employers must be given the support they need when their workers serve on reserve duty.""At a difficult time for many companies, employers must be given the support they need when their workers serve on reserve duty."
Last year an independent commission, set up in the wake of the Strategic Defence and Security Review, concluded that the UK's reserve forces were in need of "significant revitalisation".Last year an independent commission, set up in the wake of the Strategic Defence and Security Review, concluded that the UK's reserve forces were in need of "significant revitalisation".
The government says responses to its consultation will form part of a white paper to be published next year on the future role of reservists. The government says responses to its consultation will form part of a White Paper to be published next year on the future role of reservists.
Would you be interested in joining the Army Reserves? Are you currently in the Army? What do you think of these plans? You can send us your experiences using the form below.Would you be interested in joining the Army Reserves? Are you currently in the Army? What do you think of these plans? You can send us your experiences using the form below.