Army reservists to get military pensions and healthcare benefits

Defence secretary Philip Hammond announces £1.8bn plan to increase size of reserve force 50% by 2018

Army reservists are to get military pensions and healthcare benefits as part of a government plan to increase numbers and bolster regular forces.

Smaller firms that employ part-time soldiers will also receive an extra £500 per month when they are away on deployment.

Companies that discriminate against staff who want to serve will be more open to action at employment tribunals – and ministers have not ruled out legislating to ensure it is not a disadvantage when applying for jobs.

The package, announced by the defence secretary, Philip Hammond, in a statement to MPs on Wednesday, is designed to increase reserve numbers from about 20,000 to 30,000 by 2018.

It is expected to cost around £1.8bn over the next decade, with the army reserve – as the territorial army will be renamed – undertaking 10% more training and getting better equipment.

The white paper proposals come nearly three years after the coalition said it would reduce regular army numbers from 100,000 to 80,000.

Hammond told the Commons that the changes were key to ensuring Britain has the military capability it needs in the coming years.

In future, reservists will be entitled to a day’s paid leave for every eight they serve, meaning a “substantial percentage increase” in their overall remuneration.

About £40m of investment in kit such as night scopes and helmet cameras was being brought forward, he added.

“The job we are asking our reservists to do is changing,” Hammond said.

“The way we organise and train them will also have to change.”

Hammond said a number of reservist bases would be closed as part of the reorganisation.

The chief of the general staff, General Sir Peter Wall, told reporters at a briefing earlier: “This is a welcome and timely announcement for the army.

“The territorial army, as it has been called up till now” was “ready for change”, he said.

“It has been waiting for this fillip to its vibrance for some years now.”

The number of fully trained army reservists is expected to rise to 30,000, while across the three services the fully trained force size is expected to hit 35,000, according to the Ministry of Defence.

The shadow defence secretary, Jim Murphy, said it was “unacceptable” that Hammond had announced that the number of army reserve bases was being cut from 334 to 308 without providing details to the house.

“It is a shameful way to behave,” he said.

The £500 monthly payment will be available to private-sector firms with fewer than 250 staff. It is in addition to other grants handed out for recruiting part-time staff.

There will also be more notice given for deployments to make it easier for companies to plan.

Hammond said that in future reservists will not need to have been employed for more than two years before they can bring an action for unfair dismissal.

The government is stopping short of making it illegal to discriminate against part-time soldiers when hiring. However, officials said the issue was being kept under review, and legislation could …read more