To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to encourage people to join the reserve forces.

The attractiveness of the offer that we are making to reservists in terms of challenge, opportunity and reward has improved markedly under the Reserves 2020 (FR20) programme, with access to modern equipment, better training opportunities, and improved remuneration and support.

As part of FR20, each Service has its own strategy for encouraging people to join the Reserve Forces.

The Royal Navy marketing strategy includes the use of media outlets to encourage potential candidates to visit the careers website, contact their call centre, or attend a Reserves Experience event, where they are able to engage with regional reserve units. The Navy introduced a seamless transfer process in 2015 called Project Firefly to encourage Regular Service Leavers to join the Maritime Reserves. This scheme has recently been expanded to attract former Regulars who have been outside the Service for two years or less.

Recruitment for the Army Reserve is part of the wider Army 'Belonging' recruitment campaign. This campaign was enhanced in autumn 2018 through a bespoke Army Reserve video on demand campaign to encourage Army Reserve applications. The Army also seeks to attract Regular soldiers at the end of their full-time Service, and has introduced a range of financial incentives.

Royal Air Force Reserve Squadrons are marketed nationally under the strap-line 'Royal Air Force Regular and Reserve'. Additionally, the RAF have produced an informative brochure about joining the RAF Reserves that is publicised via the RAF recruiting website, social media channels and is also available at Armed Forces Careers Offices.