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Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench) on Wednesday, 25 May 2022, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Friday, 10 June 2022. It was answered by Baroness Goldie (Conservative) on Thursday, 9 June 2022 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Army Reserve

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the size of the Territorial Army in 1998; what is the current size of the trained strength of the Army Reserve; what assessment they have made of whether the number of reservists is adequate; and if the number is not adequate, what steps they will take to increase the number of reservists.

Answer

The number of Army Reserves under Future Soldier is optimal for forecasted future demands. Under Future Soldier plans, the Army Reserve will grow and better integrate with the Regular Army, and the British Army will become a whole force of over 100,000 regulars and reservists.

The total strength of the Territorial Army Group A (trained and untrained) as of 1 April 1998 was 51,100. In line with published statistics, the following table shows the strength of the Army Reserve as of 1 January 2022:

FR20 Strength 01 January 2022

Total

Trained

Untrained

Total

29,400

26,200

3,300

Army Reserve Group A

27,600

24,400

3,200

Army Reserve Group C

100

100

-

FTRS (Volunteer Reserve)

1,700

1,700

-

Notes:

The way the Army Reserve strength is measured has changed over time and Future Reserves 2020 (FR20) did not exist in 1998. The 51,100 therefore compares to the Group A Trained and Untrained Strength of 27,600 in 2022.

Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. Totals and sub-totals have been rounded separately and so may not appear to be the sum of their parts.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL514
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Employment Territorial Army Army Reserve
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk