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Reserve Forces: Deployment

Asked by Helen MaguireLiberal DemocratMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 28 April 2025UIN 47565

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department's policy on the call-out time for reservists has changed in the last six months; and what the minimum notice period is before deployment.

Answered by Maria Eagle

In developing and maintaining our Reserves mobilisation policy, ensuring that the process is optimal for Defence, the Employer and the Reservist continue to be at the forefront of our thinking.

The Ministry of Defence’s Reserves mobilisation policy has not changed over the last six months. While all Reservists are technically on immediate notice for call out, when circumstances permit, it is Defence policy that they, and their employers, will, wherever possible, be given a minimum of 28 days’ formal notice after receiving the call-out notice to report to a mobilisation centre for contingency operations and 90 days’ notice for pre-planned operations.

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