GovWire

The Council of Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations (CRFCA) gives advice and assistance to the Defence Council and the Royal Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force on matters that concern reserves and cadets.

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the current state, challenges, and advancements within the UK reserve forces. Key highlights include:

• concerns about timely report submissions to Parliament, stressing the need for adherence to the Reserve Forces Act 1996

• recognition of geopolitical changes impacting defence plans and the reserve forces role in these evolving contexts

• discussion of ongoing challenges in reserve recruitment and retention, emphasising the need for efficient systems and processes

• insights into service-specific developments within the Royal Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force reserves

• observations on the reserve and cadet estate, highlighting infrastructure and funding challenges

• focus on reservist health, including the importance of maintaining medical standards and improving health data management

• concluding remarks stress the urgency of addressing recruitment and retention issues to bolster the reserve forces effectiveness and readiness