SPONSORED RESERVES DOWN BY 15%
The overall number of sponsored reserves across the armed forces has declined by 15% in the last five years, according to Ministry of Defence figures.
Data from the MoD revealed the total number of sponsored reserves has fallen from 2,320 in 2010 to 1,960 in 2014.
Numbers were 2,370 in 2011, 2,150 in 2012 and 2,040 in 2013.
A breakdown of the figures showed Army sponsored reserve numbers had risen moderately with 80 in 2010, 90 in 2011, 100 in 2012, 80 in 2013 and 90 in 2014.
RAF sponsored reserve levels had dropped from 120 in 2010, to 100 in 2011, 2012, and 2013 then rose to 130 in 2014.
Royal Navy sponsored reserve numbers had declined from 2,130 in 2010 to 1,740 in 2014. Numbers were 2,180 in 2011, 1,950 in 2012 and 1,860 in 2013.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary numbers stood at 1,870 in 2010, 1,930 in 2011, 1,690 in 2012, 1,600 in 2013 and 1,550 in 2014.
Sponsored reserves can be contractor staff providing a service in peacetime, but on operations are staff drawn from a contractor's workforce who are reservist members of the armed forces.
The figures were given by Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans Anna Soubry in response to a written parliamentary question from Tory MP Sir Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex) who asked how many sponsored reserves there were in each branch of the armed forces in each financial year from 2010/11 to 2014/15.
