I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to question 23599 on the 7 September 2026.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-08-28/23599

This Government remains firmly committed to our Reserve Forces. The Defence Investment Plan sets out how we will invest £4.2 billion on Reserves over the next four years. Individual annual settlements will be determined through Defence planning cycles and considering Service operational requirements.

Reservists are an integral part of the Whole Force, providing critical capabilities, specialist skills and operational support that strengthen Defence's ability to respond to the increasingly complex threats we face. Against a backdrop of heightened global instability and competing demands on Defence resources, we are prioritising activity, improving productivity and ensuring value for money across Defence.

Defence is already taking forward substantial work to develop the detailed implementation arrangements needed to deliver the commitments set out in the Defence Investment Plan. As that work continues, we are ensuring that investment supports Defence's strategic objectives, strengthens military capability and improves readiness across the force.

Defence has protected the activity necessary for reservists to complete their annual training requirements and achieve their Certificate of Efficiency, and the Defence Investment Plan provides a clear commitment for sustained investment in our Reserve Forces.

The Army Caretaker Review remains ongoing and no final decisions have been made. Consultation on the proposed implementation plan is taking place with the recognised trade unions. Affected employees have been informed of the proposal and indicative timeline and will be updated following consultation.

Of the 123 caretakers currently in scope of the review, 89% occupy accommodation linked to their caretaker role. This data is correct as at 1 September 2026. The proposed timetable for vacating linked accommodation, including cases where employment may continue beyond 31 March 2027, remains subject to consultation and implementation planning.

The Department recognises the uncertainty and potential impact on affected caretakers and their families. Housing-related issues, including transitional arrangements and the proposed timetable for vacating tied accommodation, are being considered as part of implementation planning. Requests to remain in accommodation beyond the end of the role, under a different rental agreement, would be considered on a case-by-case basis by the property owner, taking account of Defence requirements, site security, estate plans and individual circumstances.

Affected employees will receive support through line management, Human Resources , trades union representatives and the Employee Assistance Programme. Army caretakers across the UK, will also be encouraged to engage early with local housing authorities and relevant independent advice services where they may need support to secure alternative accommodation.

Work is underway to identify suitable redeployment opportunities within Defence and the wider Civil Service. Redundancy would only be considered where suitable redeployment cannot be secured. Any financial assistance or compensation would be considered in line with the relevant Civil Service compensation scheme provisions and wider departmental policy.

The Army Caretaker Review remains ongoing and no final decisions have been made. Consultation on the proposed implementation plan is taking place with the recognised trade unions. Affected employees have been informed of the proposal and indicative timeline and will be updated following consultation.

Of the 123 caretakers currently in scope of the review, 89% occupy accommodation linked to their caretaker role. This data is correct as at 1 September 2026. The proposed timetable for vacating linked accommodation, including cases where employment may continue beyond 31 March 2027, remains subject to consultation and implementation planning.

The Department recognises the uncertainty and potential impact on affected caretakers and their families. Housing-related issues, including transitional arrangements and the proposed timetable for vacating tied accommodation, are being considered as part of implementation planning. Requests to remain in accommodation beyond the end of the role, under a different rental agreement, would be considered on a case-by-case basis by the property owner, taking account of Defence requirements, site security, estate plans and individual circumstances.

Affected employees will receive support through line management, Human Resources , trades union representatives and the Employee Assistance Programme. Army caretakers across the UK, will also be encouraged to engage early with local housing authorities and relevant independent advice services where they may need support to secure alternative accommodation.

Work is underway to identify suitable redeployment opportunities within Defence and the wider Civil Service. Redundancy would only be considered where suitable redeployment cannot be secured. Any financial assistance or compensation would be considered in line with the relevant Civil Service compensation scheme provisions and wider departmental policy.

The Army does not set a number for RSDs, instead RSD allocations vary by Reservist. The Army manages Reserve workforce expenditure through actual spend monitoring and prioritises funding for activity that directly supports operational outputs.

Since the Defence Investment Plan was published on 30 June 2026, which committed £4.2 billion to the Reserves between now and financial year 2029-30, the Department has been examining the options this presents to increase the proportion of active reserves, however it is too early to set out a defined timeline and the associated milestones to achieve this target.

The Army Reserve strength as at 1 April 2025 was 25,690 personnel.

The Strategic Defence Review committed to increasing the proportion of active reserves by 20%, when funding allows. This Government has since published the Defence Investment Plan, which includes £4.2 billion of investment in the Reserve Forces between Financial Year 2026-27 and 2029-30. The latest published Army Reserve strength was 25,733 personnel as at 1 April 2026, and this investment will support the delivery of the Strategic Defence Review's vision for a larger, more capable and more integrated Reserve.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 16 June 2026, to Question 8857.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-06-10/8857

The Army Reserve is implementing new initiatives to increase its strength and return to full liability at which point the Army Reserve will grow by a further 20%. The Department keeps the effectiveness of Army Reserve recruiting under continuous review. The introduction of the Armed Forces Recruitment Service (AFRS) from 2027 will provide a single, streamlined entry point to attract high-quality talent from across society and underpin the future force.

Army Reservists are issued the necessary clothing and equipment in line with authorised scales set out in Army Dress Regulations. These items are provided through the Defence supply system, which is responsible for issuing and tracking all required equipment. Additional kit is issued as needed for training and operations; personnel are not required to incur personal expense for items required for their duties.

The consolidation of Army Reserve basic training at Alexander Barracks, Pirbright, will not result in training being delivered exclusively from a single location. While the Army Training Regiment will relocate from Prince William of Gloucester Barracks, Grantham, to Pirbright. A network of regional training hubs will continue to operate across the country to support reservists.

The exact number and type of hubs will be determined by the ongoing Army Reserve Basic Training Review.

The consolidation of Army Reserve basic training at Alexander Barracks, Pirbright, will not result in training being delivered exclusively from a single location. While the Army Training Regiment will relocate from Prince William of Gloucester Barracks, Grantham, to Pirbright. A network of regional training hubs will continue to operate across the country to support reservists.

The exact number and type of hubs will be determined by the ongoing Army Reserve Basic Training Review.

The Army Reserve Basic Training Review is currently ongoing and will comprehensively consider all relevant factors affecting reservists, including the delivery and location of training to ensure it meets the needs of the Reserve Force effectively.

At this stage it is not possible to provide precise projections regarding the proportion of Army Reserve basic training that Alexander Barracks, Pirbright, will deliver annually from 2028 to 2032.

The Army Reserve Basic Training Review is currently ongoing and will comprehensively consider all relevant factors affecting reservists, including the delivery and location of training to ensure it meets the needs of the Reserve Force effectively.

At this stage it is not possible to provide precise projections regarding the proportion of Army Reserve basic training that Alexander Barracks, Pirbright, will deliver annually from 2028 to 2032.

As referenced in my previous answer of 9 June 2026 to Question 6104, a comprehensive Value for Money assessment has been conducted to inform the current plan. This assessment includes detailed consideration of capital costs, moving costs, running costs, disposal receipts, as well as non-financial benefits and disbenefits. The economic case demonstrates that the disposal of Prince William of Gloucester (PWoG) Barracks represents positive value to the public purse.

While exact capital cost figures remain commercially sensitive, the economic case estimates that providing equivalent training capacity at Alexander Barracks, Pirbright will result in reduced running costs across both infrastructure and personnel, thereby contributing to overall savings.

Precise annual running costs of Grantham are not centralised and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Regarding the annual running cost of providing the equivalent training capacity of Army Training Regiment Grantham at Alexander Barracks, Pirbright, I refer the honourable member to the answer provided by my hon. Friend, the Minister for Veterans and Personnel, on 4 June 2026 to Question 5714. Until future plans are fully determined, it is not possible to provide precise costing estimates at this time. Furthermore, the department does not routinely release forecast figures.

With respect to an aggregate estimate or range of the total cost of relocating the units and training functions based at Prince William of Gloucester Barracks, as noted in my previous response, such forecast costs are commercially sensitive and therefore cannot be disclosed.

The approved plan represents a financially prudent approach that balances capital investment with ongoing savings, ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality Army Reserve training in a sustainable and cost-effective manner.

The Strategic Defence Review is clear that Reserve Forces are integral to a future force, with an emphasis on increasing the proportion of trained, deployable and routinely utilised personnel. This Government is committed to increasing the proportion of active reserves by 20%, when funding allows.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 9 June 2026, to Question 5728

The Ministry of Defence remains committed to closing Prince William of Gloucester Barracks only when alternative Army Reserve basic training capacity is fully established and operational.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 10 June 2026, to Question 6844.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 10 June 2026, to Question 6844.