Army Reserve rebellion in prospect among Tory MPs

Some Tories fear there will not be enough reservists to fill gaps left by cuts

The government faces a rebellion later by some Tory MPs over plans to expand the Army Reserve to 30,000 to offset cuts of 20,000 regular troops. 

More than 20 Tory MPs have signed an amendment to the coalition's bill, aimed at delaying the plan until its further impact was discussed. 

With Labour planning to support the amendment, the vote could be close. 

The defence secretary has written to Tory MPs warning a vote against risked "serious damage" to the military. 

BBC political correspondent Carole Walker said there had been no attempt to hide the serious concerns at the Ministry of Defence about the prospect of a vote that could delay its plans to increase the size and expertise of the Army Reserve.

'Wrong signal' 

In his letter, Mr Hammond said: "I hope colleagues will support the government in resisting [Tory MP John Baron's] amendment. 

There are currently 19,000 trained reservists

"To do otherwise will not only give a significant fillip to the Labour Party but, more significantly, would risk serious damage to our future armed forces."

He said the amendment would halt the process of recruiting reservists, which "would send completely the wrong signal to those thinking of joining the reserves". 

'Integrated force' Tories behind the amendment to the Defence Reform Bill fear there will not be enough reservists to fill the gaps left by cuts in the regulars - due to come in by 2020 - and they are urging the government to publish up-to-date reservist recruitment numbers. 

The rebel amendment would force the government to assess the "viability and cost-effectiveness" of the proposals and delay any reforms until the report had been supported by both MPs and peers.  

But Chief of the General Staff, Gen Sir Peter Wall, said the changes would "provide a coherent, integrated force of regulars and reserves that will deliver the capability the government requires of us". 

"We are well on our way to implementing this plan," he added. 

"To reverse course at this stage would be destabilising and damaging. Increasing and rebuilding the Army Reserve is crucial to delivering the fighting force of the future.

"To do otherwise would leave a gap in our capability and deprive talented young people of an opportunity to benefit from military service."