Reserves Day was also celebrated yesterday at an event hosted by the Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, at Admiralty House in London. Ministers and senior military personnel attended and were joined by more than 20 Reservists and their employers as a way of saying thank you to those who continue to make the effort support the work of the Reserve Forces. Read the Defence Secretary’s full speech below:
For more than two centuries Admiralty House has provided the stage for some of Britain's greatest figures and the backdrop for some of our nation's greatest triumphs. It was here news of Trafalgar first reached London; it was here Nelson's body lay in state; it was here that Winston Churchill returned in 1939 to a position he held almost a quarter of a century beforeas First Lord of the Admiralty. His arrival accompanied by a signal from the Board of Admiralty to all ships that simply said: "Winston is back"; and it was here, during World War Two, that Ian Fleming liaised with the code breakers of Bletchley Park while devising some of the more imaginative schemes to win the war. So these are particularly appropriate surroundings in which to toast your supreme efforts on this nation's behalf.
And the first reason I'm delighted to be here today is simply to say thank you. Tomorrow we're holding our first ever Reserves Day, building on the success of Uniform to Work Day, it will be a chance for everyone to celebrate the bravery, sacrifice and service of all those who give up their spare time to protect our nation’s security at home and overseas. Yet today is my opportunity, on behalf of Government and the Armed Services to recognise our Reserve Force, to salute the supporting cast - those employers and families who provide the support and strength, material and emotional, to ensure our personnel can keep on keeping on. Thanks to you 400 Reservists are busy in theatres across the world. Around 10,000 have been mobilised since 2010 and whether they are curbing the scourge of Ebola in Sierra Leone or providing essential security in the UK during the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, or supporting our flooding relief efforts early last year, we want you to know that they could not do it without you.
Secondly, today is an opportunity to mark the progress we've made in recent times. It's hard to imagine that just a few years ago, despite enormous contributions in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Reserve Forces had been neglected. Yet, since then, we've worked hard to join up the dots between Government, Reservists and employers. Working to get our relationship right; making sure a better package of benefits is on the table for all; giving business the advance warning they need of call-ups; and providing that single, consistent, point of contact with Government via our Defence Relationship Management team. As a result, we are beginning to see a revitalised Reserve. Their pride and prestige restored. As an indication of this, in the year to March, a total of 6,810 joined the Reserve Forces; we saw a 115% increase of new entrants to the Army Reserve; and we are on course to reach our target of 34,060 by April 2019. But also the re-introduction of a post-nominal – Volunteer Reserve - which I hope your employees will use with pride and through the support of all employers here today signing more than 595 Corporate Covenants supporting Armed Forces and Reserves Day you’re helping to sustain our Armed Forces day in day out.
My third point is that, if we're to guarantee our Future Force remains on the front foot tomorrow, we must renew our commitment and redouble our efforts. This might be a new government, but the Reserves remain a key priority and, as the world becomes a darker place, so our need for a more flexible and agile force increases. But achieving that goal, at a time of austerity, requires Government, employers and Reservists to work together. And while we will make sure those recruiting Reservists receive financial assistance if they’re an SME; notice of future Reservist training commitments; and recognition for their work, we need you, our advocates to continue not just championing the principles of the Covenant, not just encouraging others to support the Armed Forces community, but spreading the word far and wide so other employers know they will get reward and recognition for their Reservist support. And that, above all, will benefit immeasurably from the world class training and transferable skills that only a Reservist can bring to their business.
So thanks again to our Reserves community. Whether you are an employer, backing your Reservist employees, or a family member, holding the fort while your loved one is serving their country we are hugely appreciative of your support. You are doing this nation proud. That former occupant of this great house Winston Churchill used to say: "Once a solider, twice the citizen" and he would surely agree that those who support our great Reserve Forces, both now and in the future, should receive twice the thanks.
The Rt Hon Michael Fallon, Secretary of State for Defence hosts an event to thank reserves on Armed Forces Day.
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