UK Inquiry Tracker

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

Public Accounts Committee Closed Inquiry

Opened: 6 May 2025 Closed: 15 Dec 2025 Parliament page

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 … Read more 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 as essential to UK military capability. In 2019, the MoD In 2019 the MoD published the ‘Sullivan review’ , which examined the need for the RFCAs, the appropriateness of their delivery model and the effectiveness of their governance and management. The PAC warned in 2018 that the armed forces had the largest shortfall of regulars for many years. It has skill shortages in over 100 critical trades. Its 2014 report into the Army 2020 strategy found that shortfalls in recruitment were then increasing the risk of capability gaps emerging in some parts of the Army’s structure, which in turn was increasing the risk of additional pressure being placed on regular troops. The National Audit Office (NAO) investigated the MoD’s oversight of the RFCAs in 2025, finding that financial, legal and governance risks remain in the organisation and operation of the RFCAs which it said the MoD must mitigate to support the evolving role of the reserve forces in national defence. Informed by the report, the PAC will question senior MoD officials on the current oversight arrangements, particularly the MoD’s current powers in relation to RCFAs. Please look at the requirements for written evidence submissions and note that the Committee cannot accept material as evidence that is published elsewhere. Please note that the Committee’s inquiry cannot assist with individual cases. If you need help with an individual problem you are having, you may wish to read the information on Parliament’s website about who you can contact with different issues . If you have evidence on these issues please submit it here by 23:59 on Monday 2 June 2025. Show less

17 Recommendations

11 Conclusions

1 Report

1 Oral session

5 Letters

1 Event

Activity timeline 9 events

20 Apr
2026

Correspondence

Letter from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence to the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee relating to the MOD’s oversigh…

19 Jan
2026

Report published

Treasury minutes: Government response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Forty-third report from Session 2024-26

5 Sep
2025

Report published

43rd Report - MoD’s oversight of Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations

4 Sep
2025

Correspondence

Dataset from the Permanent secretary of the Ministry of Defence relating to the response to the Chair's Letter on MoD oversight of the RFCA…

14 Jul
2025

Correspondence

Letter from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence relating to the follow up on questions relating to the inquiry into MoD’s ov…

7 Jul
2025

Correspondence

Letter from the Major General at the Ministry of Defence relating to the oral evidence session held on 16 June 2025 on MoD’s oversight of R…

7 Jul
2025

Correspondence

Letter to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence relating to the inquiry into MoD's oversight of the Reserve Forces' and Cadets…

16 Jun
2025

Oral evidence

Oral evidence session

16 Jun
2025

Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House

Committee event

Oral evidence sessions 1 session

16 Jun 2025

View on parliament.uk

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

Reports 1 report · click to expand

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

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 results

15 Conclusion Not Addressed

43rd Report - MoD’s oversight of R…

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 … Read more

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 raised.

HM Treasury

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16 Conclusion Not Addressed

43rd Report - MoD’s oversight of R…

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 … Read more

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

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17 Conclusion Not Addressed

43rd Report - MoD’s oversight of R…

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 … Read more

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, which is related but doesn't directly address the points raised.

HM Treasury

View details

Government Response AI assessment · 28 of 17 classified

Accepted 22

Deferred 2

Not Addressed 3

Rejected 1

Total 17 recs + 11 conclusions

Correspondence 5 letters

20 Apr 2026 To committee Letter from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence to the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee relating to the MOD’s oversight of Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations, 31 March 2026

Parliament page

4 Sep 2025 Dataset from the Permanent secretary of the Ministry of Defence relating to the response to the Chair's Letter on MoD oversight of the RFCA: Reserve Numbers by large employers, 11 July

Parliament page

14 Jul 2025 To committee Letter from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence relating to the follow up on questions relating to the inquiry into MoD’s oversight of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association, 09 July 2025

Parliament page

7 Jul 2025 To committee Letter from the Major General at the Ministry of Defence relating to the oral evidence session held on 16 June 2025 on MoD’s oversight of Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations, 27 June 2025

Parliament page

7 Jul 2025 From committee Letter to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence relating to the inquiry into MoD's oversight of the Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association, 30 June 2025

Parliament page