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Army reservists overhaul outlined by Philip Hammond Army reservists overhaul outlined by Philip Hammond
(about 3 hours later)
Army reservists will have an "integral" role in the military if they commit to regular training and deployment, the defence secretary has vowed.Army reservists will have an "integral" role in the military if they commit to regular training and deployment, the defence secretary has vowed.
Philip Hammond said reservists would receive more training and investment.Philip Hammond said reservists would receive more training and investment.
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.
Labour accused the government of lacking a coherent strategy in the wake of army cuts.Labour accused the government of lacking a coherent strategy in the wake of army cuts.
Under the proposed changes outlined by Mr Hammond in a central London speech, the Territorial Army would in future be known as the Army Reserves, to reflect its greater role.Under the proposed changes outlined by Mr Hammond in a central London speech, the Territorial Army would in future be known as the Army Reserves, to reflect its greater role.
'Exciting proposition''Exciting proposition'
The plans, which also covers navy and RAF reservists, are being put out for consultation. The government says responses will form part of a White Paper to be published next year on the future role of reservists.The plans, which also covers navy and RAF reservists, are being put out for consultation. The government says responses will form part of a White Paper to be published next year on the future role of reservists.
Mr Hammond said if future reservists made the commitment to regular training and deployment, they would be made an "integral part" of the Army and "a fundamental part of how we provide military capacity".Mr Hammond said if future reservists made the commitment to regular training and deployment, they would be made an "integral part" of the Army and "a fundamental part of how we provide military capacity".
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. Reservists are already serving on the front line in Afghanistan. In the future Army, one in every three soldiers will be doing the job part-time, as defence cuts bite, leaving a smaller regular force.
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. It means reservists will be required to do much more.
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. The defence secretary wants to make reservists an integral part of the Army, so that they are no longer just viewed as weekend warriors.
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 doubling their numbers and boosting their reputation will be no easy task - not least for them and their employers, as they are asked to give up more time.
It could make life more difficult for some bosses. Employers will be offered incentives, such as extra skills for staff, but defence doesn't come cheap and someone will have to pay for boosting the ranks of the reserves.
They would, he said, be "part of a whole force... designed to ensure the nation's security".They would, he said, be "part of a whole force... designed to ensure the nation's security".
He said the changes were an "exciting proposition", telling would-be reservists: "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 said the changes were an "exciting proposition", telling would-be reservists: "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.He also said there would be "greater opportunities for promotion" in the new arrangement.
The government says it will work with employers of reservists and give them more notice before staff are deployed.The government says it will work with employers of reservists and give them more notice before staff are deployed.
Under current arrangements, TA soldiers who have full-time or part-time jobs attend training sessions in their own free time. They are paid about £35 a day for each session.Under current arrangements, TA soldiers who have full-time or part-time jobs attend training sessions in their own free time. They are paid about £35 a day for each session.
They have to commit to between 19 and 27 training days a year and, if they meet this commitment, get a tax-free lump sum called a bounty, which ranges from £424 to £2,098.They have to commit to between 19 and 27 training days a year and, if they meet this commitment, get a tax-free lump sum called a bounty, which ranges from £424 to £2,098.
Travel to and from their units is also subsidised and they do not have to pay towards their kit.Travel to and from their units is also subsidised and they do not have to pay towards their kit.
Under Mr Hammond's plans, reservists' training would increase to 40 days a year - with the promise that if they met their commitments they would be better equipped and funded.Under Mr Hammond's plans, reservists' training would increase 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.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."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.Regular soldiers who leave the service will also be encouraged to join the reserves.
Speaking ahead of the announcement, Mr Hammond had said the plans would bring the UK's armed forces closer in line with its major allies, all of whom have a bigger reserve element in their forces.Speaking ahead of the announcement, Mr Hammond had said the plans would bring the UK's armed forces closer in line with its major allies, all of whom have a bigger reserve element in their forces.
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 has said 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 has said 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 accused the government of lacking a coherent strategy, arguing that there was "a plan for cutting the Army but not for boosting the reservists".Shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy accused the government of lacking a coherent strategy, arguing that there was "a plan for cutting the Army but not for boosting the reservists".
"I would like to see a bit more cohesion and a bit more logic," he said."I would like to see a bit more cohesion and a bit more logic," he said.
'Revitalisation' urged'Revitalisation' urged
Mr Murphy said he was in favour of the enhancement of the role of the reserves, but stressed that ministers must provide more support if more was going to be asked of reservists.Mr Murphy said he was in favour of the enhancement of the role of the reserves, but stressed that ministers must provide more support if more was going to be asked of reservists.
"At a difficult time for many companies, employers must be given the support they need when their workers serve on reserve duty," he said."At a difficult time for many companies, employers must be given the support they need when their workers serve on reserve duty," he said.
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".
Britain has had a reserve of part-time or retired soldiers - often known as yeomanry - since the Middle Ages but the system was only regularised in 1907 with the passing of legislation creating a Territorial Force.Britain has had a reserve of part-time or retired soldiers - often known as yeomanry - since the Middle Ages but the system was only regularised in 1907 with the passing of legislation creating a Territorial Force.
In 1920 it became the Territorial Army, with members fighting in WWI and WWII.In 1920 it became the Territorial Army, with members fighting in WWI and WWII.
Some 6,900 TA soldiers were mobilised for the invasion of Iraq in 2003.Some 6,900 TA soldiers were mobilised for the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
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.