Reservist employers across the UK are invited to take part in a survey to give their views about employing Reservists. The survey which went live today has been set up by the MOD and the results will be used to inform the work of the Future Reserves 2020 Study (FR20).
The FR20 study was commissioned by the Prime Minister as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) announcement on 19 October 2010. FR20 will be a fundamental review of the role and structure of the Reserve Forces and aims to align the Reserve Forces to new strategic defence policy, ensuring they are correctly structured, supported and resourced to meet the challenges of the future.
The MOD recognises the vital role that employers play in supporting their Reservist employees, releasing them for mobilisation and routine training. The review is therefore committed to ensuring employers’ opinions are recognised. Reservist employers, past and current, are encouraged to complete the survey (survey closed 20 February 2011) and give their feedback.
Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS), General Sir Nicholas Houghton who is leading on the study, supported by Julian Brazier MP said:
This study will examine the most efficient structure of the Reserves in order to best support the regular component in the future. The skills, experience and capabilities of our Reservists must be at the forefront of our mind during this study.
Julian and I intend to approach the study as open-mindedly as possible. We have no pre-conditioned agendas or resource envelopes. We are mindful of the need for betterment and for efficiency, but we are determined to properly explore the utility and role of the Reserves in the same intellectual context that informed the SDSR.”