Mr. Neil Richardson:

I have just one brief point to make. Again, I do not want to labour it. A considerable amount of ancillary costs come with being a member of the Reserve. I do not really want to get into the weeds of it because this is not really the forum for that. However, certain criteria are in place on certain items of kit and equipment that are given to Reserve members such as waterproof boots and warm-weather clothing. To come back to the regulations and the issues they cause, the regulations might say that particular items of clothing are only issuable to a reservist who is undertaking a tactical exercise of a certain duration. If you are out doing tactics for 72 hours, you can get the waterproof boots and warm-weather clothing but, if your exercise is only 48 hours long, you do not get those things. Our feet not being permanently waterproof, a lot of reservists go out and purchase these items at their own expense. As Mr. Gargan has said, you can add to this the cost of fuel to get to training locations. The FCA van is long gone so that is another cost that comes out of individuals' pockets. By the end of a calendar year, you can have engaged in Reserve service at a net personal loss. You have a small form of Reserve income but it might only balance out if you are lucky. Before 2012, there were financial incentives to cover this but they all disappeared with the last reorganisation. That is just something to bear in mind.