Reserve Forces: Training

The commitments shown by our reservists are greatly valued and routinely Reservists make a vital contribution to Defence, and this Government is committed to ensuring they are appropriately supported in meeting the demands of their service, including the cost of travel to attend training and mandatory commitments. A range of measures is already in place to help mitigate these costs.

The Government has also accepted in full the recommendations of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB) for 2026. This means a pay increase for Service personnel across all ranks, alongside changes to allowances and accommodation charges. For reservists it will provide a 3.6% increase to base pay, increases reflected in Reserve daily rates. It will be backdated to 1 April 2026 and expected to be paid in the 31 July 2026 salary. As part of the award, several elements relevant to reservists will also increase by 3.6%, notably the Volunteer Reserves Training Bounty (from training year 2026/27) and the Recruitment and Retention Payments.

Under Home-to-Duty travel arrangements, reservists are able to claim reimbursement for public transport fares or mileage costs above a modest personal contribution.

Further support is available through commercial providers who, in line with their commitments under the Armed Forces Covenant, offer dedicated discounts to Service personnel, including reservists. Certain transport networks, such as Transport for London (TfL), offer free travel for reservists - but only when travelling in full uniform and carrying official MOD 90 identification. For non-uniform or out-of-area travel, standard forces discounts apply. For example, National Express offers a significant reduction (up to 60%) on coach travel for serving Reservists.