Veterans up to 65 may be mobilised for war service

MILITARY veterans will be liable to be recalled for service until they are 65 under new measures intended to make Britain more prepared for war.

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Legislation published yesterday will raise the maximum age at which veterans can be recalled, and make it easier to mobilise them in a crisis.

The move is designed to increase the size of the “strategic reserve”, which includes ex-service personnel who are still liable for military service - the “ex-regular reserve” - and a wider “recall reserve” who can be mobilised in dire emergencies.

Lieutenant General Paul Griffiths, the commander of the Standing Joint Command, said: “As the threat to our nation grows, we must ensure our armed forces can draw on the numbers and skills required to meet it.