Soldiers who are not being deployed to Afghanistan are having to train with blank rounds because it is cheaper, it has been claimed.
The ban on live ammunition will affect the entire Territorial Army (TA) and a number of non-frontline regular army units, according to The Sunday Times.
The move is the result of a £700m cutback in spending to run the Army in the UK, the newspaper reported.
Each live round for the standard issue service rifle, the SA80, costs about 30p, while a blank costs 10p.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the "ever-improving quality" of computer simulation had reduced the need for live fire exercises for some units.
But Tory MP Patrick Mercer, who was a former commanding officer in the infantry, said: "The idea that our frontline reserves should not be able to use live rounds is quite extraordinary.
"We can't have a popgun army. The next thing you know we'll be reduced to Dad's Army-style training, shouting 'bang bang'."
An MoD spokesman said: "The top priority is to train those about to deploy to Afghanistan but the training of others continues.
"The soldier's ability to operate his personal weapon effectively remains a fundamental part of operational capability and an annual training requirement.
"For artillery and armour, the ever-improving quality of simulation technology has reduced the need to rely on live-fire exercises, although they still play an important role. We are able to deliver excellent training using a combination of the two."
