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Select Committee · Public Accounts Committee

MoD’s oversight of Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations

Status: Closed Opened: 6 May 2025 Closed: 15 Dec 2025 17 recommendations 11 conclusions 1 report

The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations (RFCAs) were established in 1908, and support and provide infrastructure for the reserve forces and cadet forces of the British Army, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. There are 13 regional RFCAs, and their services underpin the effectiveness of the reserves, which the Ministry of Defence views …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
43rd Report - MoD’s oversight of Reserve Forces’ and Cadets… HC 893 5 Sep 2025 28 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
15 Conclusion 43rd Report - MoD’s oversight of Reserv… Not Addressed

Primary legislation for new RFCA NDPB thwarted by lack of parliamentary time.

One of the two headline recommendations in the Department’s 2019 review of the RFCAs was to regularise and streamline the Council and 13 RFCAs into a single NDPB. This would provide a clear governance structure that aligned with government policy to transmit, delegate, implement and enforce decisions. However, creating an …

Government response. The item notes that the Department's plan to create the necessary legislation for an NDPB was thwarted by a lack of Parliamentary time. The government response is about establishing an NDPB, which is related but doesn't directly address the points …
HM Treasury
16 Conclusion 43rd Report - MoD’s oversight of Reserv… Not Addressed

Establishing new RFCA NDPB remains preferred route, legislation anticipated in 2026 Armed Forces Bill.

The Department confirmed that establishing an NDPB remained its preferred route forward. This would facilitate a streamlined organisation, simplify back-office functions and clarify accountabilities. The Department said that the next opportunity for the necessary legislation would be in the Armed Forces Bill, which it is obliged to update by the …

Government response. The item confirms that establishing an NDPB remained the Department's preferred route forward. The government response is about establishing an NDPB, which is related but doesn't directly address the points raised.
HM Treasury
17 Conclusion 43rd Report - MoD’s oversight of Reserv… Not Addressed

Balancing national oversight with local volunteer spirit is key challenge for RFCA reform.

The Department said that the challenge is to balance the need for a professional and effective national organisation that can be held to account, with the ability to leverage the membership’s volunteer spirit. It said that there was an ongoing conversation with the RFCAs around 20 Qq 17 and 18 …

Government response. The item discusses the challenge of balancing a professional national organisation with leveraging volunteer spirit, and the Council's belief that an NDPB would bring benefits of central direction while maintaining local knowledge. The government response is about establishing an NDPB, …
HM Treasury

Oral evidence sessions

1 session
Date Witnesses
16 Jun 2025 Aneen Blackmore · Ministry of Defence, David Williams · Daily Mail, Major General Marc Overton · Ministry of Defence, Major General (Rtd) Jamie Gordon · Council for Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations View ↗

Correspondence

5 letters
DateDirectionTitle
20 Apr 2026 To cttee Letter from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence to the Chair of …
4 Sep 2025 — Dataset from the Permanent secretary of the Ministry of Defence relating to the…
14 Jul 2025 To cttee Letter from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence relating to the …
7 Jul 2025 To cttee Letter from the Major General at the Ministry of Defence relating to the oral e…
7 Jul 2025 From cttee Letter to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence relating to the in…