Army Reserve: Training
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the capital costs of providing Army Reserve basic training capacity at Alexander Barracks, Pirbright following the closure of Prince William of Gloucester Barracks.
Answered by Luke Pollard
As referenced in my previous answer of 9 June 2026 to Question 6104, a comprehensive Value for Money assessment has been conducted to inform the current plan. This assessment includes detailed consideration of capital costs, moving costs, running costs, disposal receipts, as well as non-financial benefits and disbenefits. The economic case demonstrates that the disposal of Prince William of Gloucester (PWoG) Barracks represents positive value to the public purse.
While exact capital cost figures remain commercially sensitive, the economic case estimates that providing equivalent training capacity at Alexander Barracks, Pirbright will result in reduced running costs across both infrastructure and personnel, thereby contributing to overall savings.
Precise annual running costs of Grantham are not centralised and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Regarding the annual running cost of providing the equivalent training capacity of Army Training Regiment Grantham at Alexander Barracks, Pirbright, I refer the honourable member to the answer provided by my hon. Friend, the Minister for Veterans and Personnel, on 4 June 2026 to Question 5714. Until future plans are fully determined, it is not possible to provide precise costing estimates at this time. Furthermore, the department does not routinely release forecast figures.
With respect to an aggregate estimate or range of the total cost of relocating the units and training functions based at Prince William of Gloucester Barracks, as noted in my previous response, such forecast costs are commercially sensitive and therefore cannot be disclosed.
The approved plan represents a financially prudent approach that balances capital investment with ongoing savings, ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality Army Reserve training in a sustainable and cost-effective manner.
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