MPs are being approached, me included, by families of those in the Territorial Army due to be posted to theatre in Afghanistan. Families of part-time soldiers are naturally concerned for their safety. But this is now compounded on two fronts: they are being sent into active duty without adequate training; and are being encouraged to turn up for over half of their training sessions without pay or any contribution to their travel costs.
This is scandalous on both counts. It is crazy that a government willing to waste £12 billion on a pointless VAT cut won't spend £20 million on making sure that the Territorial Army is kept ready and prepared.
The Prime Minister later wrote to David Cameron to insist that reservists will still get their standard pre-deployment training. But that lasts only four months.
Constituents of mine, due to be posted to Afghanistan next year, are not now able to train with live ammunition until shortly before being sent to active theatre. They are being expected to risk their lives and being paid effectively less than the minimum wage while training to do so.
The Territorial Army plays a vital role within our Armed Forces. Units deploying in Afghanistan regularly need to back-fill with TA soldiers to bring them up to strength. In the field they often perform the same rigorous tasks as full-time soldiers.
It is an utter disgrace if this Government relies on our TA volunteer soldiers to undertake the same life-threatening duties in Afghanistan if they have not been trained or paid properly for the task they are asked to undertake.
