John Baron MP secures meeting with Prime Minister on Reservists Defence Policy

MP highlights false economy and ‘dangerous’ fool’s errand

Today during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons, John Baron MP questioned the Prime Minister, Rt Hon David Cameron MP, on the Government’s policy of axing 20,000 regular soldiers and recruiting 30,000 reservists to fill the vacuum. The Prime Minister agreed to meet John and other colleagues to discuss the matter.

In the House of Commons, John said,

“Government plans to replace 20,000 regular troops – including 2^nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers – with 30,000 reservists risk being a false economy. The present TA mobilisation rate of 40% suggests instead 50,000 reservists are needed, and financial incentives mean ex-regular reservists will be on a better payscale than a serving Brigadier.”

“Having already discussed the issue with the Secretary of State, and further to our letter to the Prime Minister of 9^th April, will he meet a number of us to discuss these and other concerns – including the wisdom of such a policy in this increasingly uncertain world?”

The Prime Minister replied that he was always happy to meet John.

Afterwards, John said,

“I question whether these Army reforms will result in cost savings. The MoD has conceded it costs more to train reservists than regulars, and force-generation factors and the costs of matching civilian salaries upon deployment will only add further expense.”

“At a time when many countries not necessarily friendly with the West are increasing their defence spending, this Government policy could also be a dangerous ‘fool’s errand’. I will urge the Prime Minister to re-think when we meet.”

Notes to Editors:

• An ex-regular reservist could receive £9,400. This figure is based on the following:
  • £5,000 bonus.
  • £1,700 bounty (for completing all training days and annual camp).
  • £2,700 (27 training days at £100/day).
  • New reservists can not be deployed in their first year.
  • MoD figures reveal that of 6,700 TA infantry soldiers, only 2,800 are actually eligible for mobilisation. The effective rate is around 40%.