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Army Reserve
02 February 2022
Lead MP
Richard Bacon
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
Employment
Other Contributors: 2
At a Glance
Richard Bacon raised concerns about army reserve in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The MP for South Norfolk expressed concern about a reduction in the Army Reserve despite its critical role in national security and recent operations. He highlighted that while there was an expectation of deployment when joining, the current plans to cut the reserve from 30,100 to 27,100 trained personnel threaten these objectives. Richard Bacon also raised issues regarding the erosion of combat unit structures, inadequate recruitment strategy, and a lack of resources for officer training corps. He stressed that effective reserves depend on formed bodies which build comradeship and readiness. Additionally, he questioned the Ministry's handling of reserve basing, recruitment practices, and command opportunities for junior officers.
Adam Holloway
Con
Gravesham
He agreed with Richard Bacon’s concerns about the reduction in the Army Reserve and highlighted Northern Ireland's disproportionate contribution to reserves.
Philip Hammond
Con
Right Hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford
He emphasised the importance of reserve forces, their central role in national security, and their current work during the pandemic.
Government Response
Minister Leo Docherty acknowledged the concerns raised by Richard Bacon. He noted that while the Army Reserve will be reduced to 27,100 trained personnel, this figure does not include those in other Defence units or undergoing training, thus maintaining a similar overall strength. The restructuring aims to improve deployability and availability rather than solely focusing on numbers. Docherty highlighted the reserve's role in delivering potent and deployable support for regular units through augmentation, citing historical operational successes. He also addressed recruitment strategies, emphasising that opportunities for command roles will increase under the integrated review and Future Soldier programme. The Minister committed to publishing a report from the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA) as requested by the MP.
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Assessment & feedback
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.