Labour Calls for Increased Reservist Numbers and Employers to Support Veterans

Strategic Insights -

Labour's Defence Secretary, John Healey, has urged employers to encourage their workers to join the reserves and support veterans, stating that the public could play a crucial role in Britain's national security by being more vigilant and joining reserve units and the cadets. Healey's comments come ahead of Labour's annual conference in Liverpool, where the party aims to reclaim the Union flag and present itself as the party of patriotism.

Key Takeaways:

  • Labour's recent strategic defence review called for an increase in the size and role for reservists, aiming to increase the number of active reservists by 20 per cent.
  • The review also called for a new plan for a "sustainable and effective transition to war if necessary," which would include mobilising reserves if the UK was attacked directly by a foreign power.
  • John Healey has stated that employers can do more to give those leaving the forces employment opportunities and make sure those in their workforce can also play a part as reservists.
  • Healey has set a "personal mission" to raise public confidence in the Armed Forces and commitment to service, following a recent poll that showed just 11 per cent of Gen Z would be willing to fight for the UK in a war.
  • Labour has pledged to increase the size of the Army to 76,000 in the next Parliament, but has admitted that numbers are currently still falling.
  • The RAF and Royal Navy are 21 per cent and 7 per cent smaller, respectively, since 2012 due to budget cuts.
  • Healey has reversed the decline in personnel numbers in the Navy and RAF, and The Telegraph understands the number could begin to increase from its current level of 73,800 from next year.

Statistics:

  • 20 per cent increase in the number of active reservists called for in Labour's recent strategic defence review (1.1)
  • 25 per cent decline in troop numbers since 2012 (1.2)
  • 21 per cent reduction in the RAF since 2012 (1.3)
  • 7 per cent reduction in the Royal Navy since 2012 (1.4)
  • 11 per cent of Gen Z willing to fight for the UK in a war (1.5)
  • 73,800 current level of personnel numbers in the Navy and RAF (1.6)
  • 76,000 planned size of the Army in the next Parliament (1.7)

Sources:

  • (1.1) Labour's recent strategic defence review
  • (1.2) The Telegraph
  • (1.3) The Telegraph
  • (1.4) The Telegraph
  • (1.5) A poll published earlier this year
  • (1.6) The Telegraph
  • (1.7) Labour's pledge to increase the size of the Army to 76,000 in the next Parliament