Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he plans to take to increase the Army Active Reserve numbers by 20 per cent.

As the SDR has recommended, it is our intention to increase the UK's Active Reserve forces by at least 20 per cent.

We recognise the need to adopt a whole of society approach to defence and the requirement for defence in depth. We are committed to growing the reserves. This will be part of an integrated approach to growing all of Defence’s Reserves. We are looking hard at policies to ensure we can meet the intent when funding allows. In the meantime, we are making better use of the resources available already by urgently reinvigorating how we engage with those ex-Regulars who have a mobilisation obligation (the Strategic Reserve), and reviewing our Reserves model. We are also improving recruitment and retention within the Active Reserves through more flexible careers, better accommodation, and more stable, family-friendly postings.