The Ministry of Defence is advancing two complementary initiatives to strengthen the role of reservists and deepen Defence’s connection with local communities, according to recent parliamentary answers from Defence Minister Louise Sandher-Jones.
Asked about the creation of a new force modelled on the reserves, designed to link communities more closely with national defence, Sandher-Jones referred to her earlier statement from September 2025, which outlined Defence’s ongoing exploration of alternative force models. The Strategic Defence Review 2025 called for a new approach to harnessing local and specialist talent, building on the reserve model to expand Defence’s regional presence and civilian engagement.
Alongside that work, the Ministry is improving how it maps the distribution and expertise of reservists across the country. Sandher-Jones said the Military Strategic Headquarters, working with the individual service commands, is leading a project to gather and verify up-to-date information on ex-Regular personnel who retain a Strategic Reserve liability.
This includes confirming reservists’ current locations and ensuring accurate records of their contact details and, in future, their professional skills. This is part of an effort to make sure trained personnel with valuable experience can be identified and re-engaged when required.
Sandher-Jones said, “In support of the Strategic Defence Review recommendation to step up engagement with the Strategic Reserve, the Military Strategic Headquarters, in partnership with the Military Commands, is leading work to gather and assure the relevant information on ex-Regular Service personnel who still hold a Strategic Reserve liability.”
She added that this process will be supported by data verification through upcoming UK exercise programmes, which will help assess and validate the operational readiness of reservist networks.
I see two issues. Arming Moslem communities might not go well. Secondly, holding details of Afghans who helped the U.K. in that country’s internal security proved a disaster following a data link. Once, last century, the U.K. did share a common identity. This is no longer the case.
Well I remember a time where we had no “Communities” or Community Leaders, Spokspersons either. Long gone are those days.
Lol “Spocks Persons”.
Beem me up !
I see one issue, you inventing an accusation in a pathetic attempt to stir-up communal tensions on religious and ethnic lines. Nowhere does it talk about arming anybody at all.
Your use of the antiquated term “Moslem” suggests either you’re still living in the 19th century or your choice is deliberate as it’s now seen as an offensive term.
You make my point for me better than I do myself.
You weren’t making a point, you were stoking social division and disorder in the U.K… so that puts you on par with Dylan Earl and Jake Reeves 🤷🏻♂️
”don’t be stupid be a smarty, go and join the Reform Party” if you haven’t already
So the army has spent the last 10/15 years destroying the regimental system so that now u can come from wales for example but be put in the Royal anglian regiment they have done away with moving regiments around so now your posted a million miles from home permanently but now they want to strengthen community relations does the army know what the hell it’s doing, also why does this site not like you posting messages if you have a VPN on ?
Probably because vatniks use VPNs to hide the fact they’re posting from Russia but pretending to be British.
“strengthen the role of reservists and deepen Defence’s connection with local communities”
“designed to link communities more closely with national defence”
How though? Will we bring back the local PALS battalions🤔
I’m happy to sign up for the… “Chorley Pals” 😉
We can bring back those “local regiments” for the Army Reserve that we all remember
And expand that way
Dear God, can recriutment get anymore stupid than it is already? Sadly the answer appears to be Yes!