From 2027 the government intends to lower the threshold for recall so tens of thousands of reservists can be recalled for 'warlike preparations', the MoD said
19:07, 15 Jan 2026Updated 19:46, 15 Jan 2026
John Healey has said major changes to make it easier to call up reservists in times of crisis will help Britain combat a new age of threats.
It comes as the Ministry of Defence (MoD) introduced the Armed Forces Bill - which requires renewal every five years - to Parliament today.
From 2027 the government intends to lower the threshold for recall so tens of thousands of reservists can be recalled for "warlike preparations", the MoD said. The current requirement is for "national danger, great emergency or attack on the UK".
The legislation will include new measures to strengthen the UK's strategic reserve, which includes former troops and reserve forces. Among changes, ministers will make it easier to call-up older reservists with the maximum age increasing from 55 to 65.
Speaking to The Mirror, the Defence Secretary Mr Healey said today: "We are in a new era of threat - demands a new era of defence. This is part of new recommendations laid out in our Strategic Defence Review last year.
"As part of making this country stronger and more secure and more ready to fight if we have to and therefore better at deterring any adversary that might think of attacking us. We can make better use of a wide-range of skills of people in our reservists."
He added: "The second reason is this is a demand that's come from the bottom up too - you've got really skilled cyber, medics, trainers, translators -who at the moment serving in the reserves but doing those jobs in civilian life.
"At the age of 55 will continue doing those jobs in civilian life - but currently blocked by law from being ready to do them as reservists. Makes no sense for the nation, makes no sense for those individuals. So this is legislation that recognises the new era we're in and makes much better use of great people who are ready to reserve in our reserves."
Lieutenant General Paul Griffiths, the commander of the Standing Joint Command, said: "As the threat to our nation grows, we must ensure our armed forces can draw on the numbers and skills required to meet it. I fully support these measures, which will give us the widest possible pool of experienced personnel to call upon in times of crisis."
The revamped Bill will also enshrine the new Defence Housing Service - to renew military housing - into law backed by £9billion announced in December. On Thursday The Mirror joined Mr Healey as he visited 200 houses in Helensburgh recently upgraded to make homes fit for heroes.
Among them were Petty Officer Michael Pass and wife, Katrina, who moved into a refurbished home with a new boiler and kitchen just in time for Christmas. Mr Healey said the new Defence Housing Service "will raise the standards" to the standards everyone else would expect in the private rental sector.
He added: "It's a personal mission for me to put an end to the cold, mouldy, damp, drafty homes we've expected our force's families to live in for too long. With a big £9billion boost over this decade, we will build, renew, or refurbish nine out of ten of those homes."