Defence Secretary Philip Hammond yesterday published the white paper ‘Reserves one day Force 2020: Valuable and Valued’, which sets out the plans to sustain and grow our Reserve Forces to 35,000 across all 3 services by 2018 by revitalizing them, reversing the decline of the new past, growing their trained strength, and investing an extra £1.8 billion over 10 years.

The white paper marks a big breakthrough as we alter our relationship with reservists, their families and employers; dramatically improving what we provide them. Reserves make an important contribution to national security. In future their contribution to our defence capability increases; they’ll become an integrated portion of the complete Force required for the majority operations, both at home and abroad.

Included within the raft of recent measures is the pledge that small companies will soon get financial help in the event that they employ and support a reservist. We seek an open relationship tailored to fulfill the desires of alternative sizes and kinds of employers, in keeping with predictability of reservist training and deployment and mutual benefit. This can include working together to accredit the talents and coaching reservists gain during service with recognized civilian qualifications. We shall also introduce a countrywide Relationship Management Scheme by April 2014 made of leading supportive employers from the private and non-private sector.

For reservists we’re investing in good quality training, increasing their pay through a paid annual leave entitlement, introducing access to the Defense force Pension Scheme, providing more modern equipment, and giving them better access to welfare support and health services. We’re working to introduce new legislation throughout the Defence Reform Bill to make use of Reserves for the whole range of tasks our Defense force could be asked to undertake, and renaming the Territorial Army the ‘Army Reserve’ to mirror the numerous changes to its role and entire integration. We’re also working to present reservists with additional protection by direct access to an employment tribunal (exempt from the 2-year qualifying period) where they’ve been unfairly dismissed through their service.

Several business organizations were supportive of yesterday’s announcement. Speaking on Sky News, Mike Cherry from the Federation of Small Businesses said: “Most of our members are very supportive of this, but a few third say they can’t support what the govt. intends to do. We glance forward to seeing what Philip Hammond has to assert about support for businesses. Reserve Forces appear to struggle through boom-and-bust cycles on numbers and gear. Most small businesses who’re capable of support reservists will attempt to do what they want. There are employment law issues around this. i used to be a reservist for five years, but business needed to take over ultimately. But it surely was a good time and folk should look forward with pride to serving their country.”

Dr Neil Bentley, CBI Deputy Director-General, said: “Businesses around the UK recognize the significance of national security, and the role the Defense force play in keeping us safe. Future Force 2020 will significantly increase the collection of reservists within the workforce and require one other commitment from businesses. We’re pleased the MOD has listened to businesses’ concerns, particularly the necessity to work in partnership with firms, instead of taking a purely legalistic approach, to lessen any potential disruption.

“We particularly welcome the plans for improved communications and the extra financial support to smaller businesses announced inside the white paper. Alerting businesses earlier about mobilization will make things easier and a single point of contact for employers is a true breakthrough. However the government must work flat out with businesses and make sure the transition to this new approach is as smooth as possible.”

Sir Mike Rake, Chairman of BT, said: “BT has supported reserve service for decades. It’s a win-win for individual, employer and armed services through skills, leadership and team work development. Deepening this 3-way bond though closer employer engagement, mutual skills accreditation and effective advance planning on mobilization is central to the white paper proposals, not least for working with SMEs [small and medium-sized enterprises]. This may be a multi-year task to get it right.”

Paul Everitt, Chief Executive of Defence Trade Organization ADS, said: “The Defence Secretary has described UK defence companies as many of the ‘strongest and most effective’ supporters of the Reserve Forces. Industry recognizes the increased role of reservists set out within the white paper and is operating with government to deliver the flexible force had to best support our Defense force. It’s important that the MOD works closely with local businesses to deliver a clear and predictable deployment process and to make sure companies can continue to supply support to employees serving inside the Military.”

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