Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by James Cartlidge (Conservative) on Thursday, 25 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 30 June 2026 (named day). It was answered by Calvin Bailey (Labour) on Friday, 3 July 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Reserve Forces: Finance

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what total budget has been allocated to the Volunteer Reserve in (a) each remaining financial year of the current Parliament and (b) each financial year of the next Parliament, broken down by single service.

Answer

The Ministry of Defence does not publish specific total budgets. Reserve spending, which includes the Volunteer Reserve, is integrated directly into broader command budgets.

This week, this Government published the Defence Investment Plan. This is the next step in delivering the vision set out in the Strategic Defence Review and placing defence on a stronger, more sustainable footing.

The DIP is backed by a £15 billion increase in the MOD’s spending power over the next four years above what was agreed at last year’s Spending Review. The £74 billion allocated to MOD next year (2027-28) is £20 billion more for our Armed Forces than the last year of the previous Government and the budget will continue to grow in real terms for the rest of this Parliament. By 2029-30 it will be 27% higher in real terms than in 2023-24. In total we will invest £298 billion in defence over the next four years.

This includes £4.2 billion investment on Reserves between FY2026-27 and FY2029-30.

The UK is putting defence first. MOD’s budget will grow faster over this Parliament than any other major Government department.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
13172
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Finance Reserve forces
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk