Rennie calls on council to make support for reservists “official” (North Tayside Liberal Democrats)

North Tayside Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Rennie calls on council to make support for reservists “official”

April 28, 2009 6:01 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

MP Willie Rennie has written to Ronnie Hinds, the Chief Executive of Fife Council, to ask him to adopt official measures to ensure reservists receive strong support from their employers.

The Volunteer Reserve Forces are made up of approximately 46,000 members, and are an integral and important part of the UK's Armed Forces. Their role has changed in the last ten years from a large but little used force, to one structured to support the UK's Armed Forces operations worldwide.Willie Rennie MP: Dunfermline & West Fife

Employing reservists can bring significant rewards for employers as the training and skills provided can be extensive which often can assist the reservist to undertake their day job more effectively and make an even greater contribution

Mr Rennie has called on Fife Council to use the measures implemented by West Dunbartonshire Council, aimed at providing support to reservists as a blueprint for their own official policy. West Dunbartonshire Council's proposal-which has been commended by SaBRE, Supporting Britain's Reservists and Employers-outlines ways in which employers can help reservists deal with issues including mobilisation, financial support and appeal procedures.

Commenting Mr Rennie said:

"I am a strong supporter of our armed forces, including our reservists who are increasingly an essential part of our armed forces with their extensive experience and skills.

"The increased demand being placed on our Reserved Forces reinforces the need to take proper steps to ensure that they are given support, which is why I'm keen for Fife Council to have an official policy to formalise the supportive approach they already take.

"An employee's mobilisation may result in additional costs. The Reserve Forces regulations, introduced in April 2005, provide a simple and effective scheme for claiming financial assistance to cover the costs of replacing an employee who has been mobilised."

"I'm therefore, calling on Fife Council to adopt similar measures to those implemented in West Dunbartonshire to ensure that our reservists continue to receive the full backing of their employers."