Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made in establishing pals reservists regiments as part of Army 2020.

The Army is not directly seeking to recreate ' Pals' regiments under Army 2020. Pals regiments were historic First World War formations mainly raised through the efforts of local authorities, industrialists or committees of private citizens and were composed of men who lived in a particular city or district, or who shared a common social or occupational background.
Army units, both Regular and Reserve, remain a key part of UK society and their local communities. Many continue to have a natural affinity to a particular part of the country in their recruiting. We encourage all serving Reservists to ‘bring a friend’ along to training. Significant work has gone into ensuring that there is an effective regional footprint of Army Reserve units under Army 2020. This, coupled with a strong recognition of the benefits of local and regional recruiting activity, alongside a wider national profile for the Army Reserve are key parts of the growth and investment in the Reserve Forces under Army 2020.

The Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations continue to play an important role in maintaining and developing that profile.