Overview
- The Armed Forces Bill proposes increasing the Strategic Reserve maximum recall age from 55 to 65 and expanding mobilisation to include 'warlike preparations.'
- The Ministry of Defence says the reforms would take effect in spring 2027, with former personnel already out of service unaffected unless they opt in.
- Lieutenant General Paul Griffiths backs the plan as a way to access specialist skills and strengthen readiness, citing lessons drawn from Ukraine.
- Veteran advocates criticize the move as a short-term fix and reporters highlight outdated MoD records and contact gaps that could blunt its impact.
- Reporting cites an estimated 95,000 people liable for recall, and current rules provide a call-out notice typically of 28 days with limited grounds to defer or seek exemption within seven days.