Brits over 60 given ‘call-up’ warning as expert issues WW3 conscription verdict.H

The UK could see older people called up to serve, an expert has suggested (Image: Getty)

People in their early 60s could be called to serve in the Armed Forces if the UK becomes involved in a large-scale war, a  military expert has suggested. Commodore (Ret’d) Steve Prest, a RUSI Associate Fellow, suggested that the UK is closer to a conflict with Russia than at any point since the height of the Cold War. He told the Express when asked if people who had been in the RAF, Royal Navy or the British Army who were now retirement age or older could be called up in the event of a war: “What do you mean by ‘retirement age’? State Pension age? Probably not.

“If you mean people in their 50s, maybe in their early 60s.” Some individuals in their sixth decade are “absolutely cracking”, Commodore Prest said, “sharp as a tack” and still “physically fit”, and so could be put to good use. “I mean, yeah, they’re not going to be doing 40-mile hikes with, you know, 100 kilos of kits on their back.

“But, yeah, that’s probably not what we want them for.” He added: “There’s loads of stuff that needs to be done. I mean, modern warfare is not all about infantry fighting.”

Older people could contribute towards logistics, communications, cyber and space activities, the former military man suggested. He added: “I mean, I’m not sure about putting people up as astronauts, but, you know, building and managing of satellites and the communication ground segments […] Could have physically fit 62-year-old, do that sort of work? Yep. Why not?”

Commodore Prest was also asked if he foresaw the UK introducing conscription in the event of a major conflict. He said: “Do we mean general conscription in that we’re going around schools and colleges and pubs hoovering up young people, who have never had any previous contact with the military, I think that’s highly improbable.”

But he added that people such as himself, who have served, could be “called upon” — “invited, more or less mandatorily”. Former soldier and Conservative minister, Tobias Ellwood, reiterated that he has called for conscription in the UK, “but not in the dated image of Dad’s Army”, rather “copying the Finnish model that strengthens homeland resiliance”.

Finnish men have to serve in the Armed Forces (Image: Getty)

 Military service is mandatory for all Finnish men from the age of 18 for up to 347 days. When asked if people in their 60s or above the State Pension age be called upon in the event of a conflict, Mr Ellwood said: “Everyone has a role to play across the full spectrum of conflict. Not just land sea and air.”

He added: “Putin has already begun a grey zone war against us. Not a day goes by when we are not subject to Russian cyber attacks, coercion, and disinformation campaigns designed to spread societal discord and cause economic harm.”

Increase to wages confirmed in financial statement in House of Commons

Chancellor John Healey outside No 11 before the Budget (Image: Getty)

Chancellor John Healey just announced a pay rise of up to £1,011 for two million workers. In his Budget statement, he confirmed plans to increase both the National Living Wage and the Minimum Wage by 3.9%. And that means many workers across the country will get a significant pay rise.

The National Living Wage is for people aged 21 and over. It is currently £12.71 per hour, and will now go up in April 2027 following the Chancellor’s announcement. According to the Treasury, many full-time staff work 170 hours each month on average. That would mean someone on the Living Wage is paid £2,160.70 each month, or £25,928.40 per year. But increasing that by 3.9% means a pay rise of £1,011.21.

And someone aged 18 to 20 is entitled to the minimum wage of £10.85 per hour, or £22,134 each year if they work full-time. They will get a pay rise of £863.23.

About two million workers are currently paid either the Living Wage or Minimum Wage, and they are set to benefit from the change.

The Chancellor has ended the policy of his predecessor, Rachel Reeves, who pushed up the minimum wage for young workers faster than the living wage for people aged 21 and over. She wanted to give younger workers a pay rise, but business leaders warned that she was making it hard to employ young staff. Mr Healey’s policy is a major U-turn.

Delivering his Budget in Parliament, Mr Healey said: “To help with the weekly shop, I am suspending tariffs on over 100 supermarket products to keep prices down.

“For pensioners, I am delivering the new pension tax allowance – so that pensioners with income up to the value of the full new state pension will not pay income tax in this Parliament.

“For ex-mineworkers, I’m guaranteeing that every penny of the pension fund surplus now goes to miners. I know the job’s not finished and I will go on to ensure the full transfer of the guarantor’s fund.

“For carers, I am getting rid of the cliff edge on earnings, so that people don’t lose their entire carer’s allowance when they earn a penny over the threshold.

“And for 2.3million of our lowest-paid workers, I am increasing both the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage by 3.9%.”