Keir Starmer's government has unveiled an ambitious strategy to strengthen Britain's military readiness by extending the age limit for veteran recall from 55 to 65 years old. The move, announced on Thursday as part of a new Armed Forces Bill, aims to expand the 'strategic reserve' of former service personnel available for emergency mobilisation.
Yet beneath the headlines about Dad's Army and pensioner soldiers lies a far more troubling reality: the Ministry of Defence simply does not know who these veterans are, where they live, or how to contact them when crisis strikes.
