Armed Forces Bill

Lord Bailey of Paddington Excerpts

2nd reading
Monday 6th July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Bailey of Paddington (Con)]

My Lords, it is a pleasure to speak after the noble Lord, Lord Hay of Ballyore. Before I come to my remarks, I declare my interests: I am the chair of the cadet health check team; my daughter is currently wading her way through basic training to join the RAF; and I am an honorary colonel of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers cadets.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill, and I do so with great respect for those who serve, those who have served and the families who support them. The Armed Forces are not simply a military institution, they are one of the great social institutions of our country. They teach discipline, duty, teamwork, resilience, courage and service. At their best, they give people a sense of belonging and purpose. That is especially powerful for young people who sometimes find it hard to find these things and may not have access to them elsewhere in their life.

That is why I want to focus on what I believe is missing from the Bill: a stronger recognition of the wider social impact of the Armed Forces, particularly the role of the cadet forces. The Minister will understand my going on about the cadet forces. Across the United Kingdom, cadet units are doing extraordinary work. They give young people structure, they teach self-control, they build confidence, and they connect children and teenagers with adult volunteers who model responsibility, leadership and service. For many young people, particularly those from struggling communities, this can be life-changing. I know this from my own life and many years of working with young people. I used to be a member of the Army cadet force, and it was the only institution in the neighbourhood where I grew up that was stronger than gang culture. I can point to the day that the Army cadets saved me from going to jail, and it is why I stand in front of noble Lords today.

Over many years working with young people, you come to understand that opportunity is not just about money; it is about access as well. It is about having someone say that you are capable of more, but you must turn up, work hard, be a part of this team and, above all, take responsibility. This is what the cadet movement does every week. Yet, too often, cadets are treated as a nice extra rather than a serious national asset. The Bill rightly deals with the Armed Forces covenant, service family housing, veterans and the justice system. But it does not go far enough in recognising the role of the Armed Forces in strengthening society itself.

I ask the Government to look again at the Bill and what it could do for cadets. First, we need a clear duty to support the growth of the cadet units. I know the Government are doing this work, but the Bill is an opportunity to lay it down and make sure it continues, supported by long-term funding as well. This is especially so in poorer areas and communities where young people would really appreciate and benefit from this access, because they do not have much structured youth provision.

Secondly, we need proper reporting to Parliament on cadet numbers, waiting lists, adult volunteers, facilities and funding. If we value cadets, we should measure whether their number is growing or being allowed to decline. Thirdly, we need better support for adult volunteers. Cadet units cannot run on good will alone. Volunteers need training, safeguarding support, equipment, facilities and recognition. They are giving up their evenings and weekends to help build the next generation—the Government should make this easier, not harder.

Fourthly, we should place cadets more clearly within the Armed Forces covenant. The covenant should not only speak for those who have served or are now serving; it should also recognise the pipeline of service, citizenship and leadership that cadets help to create.

If we are serious about defence, we must also be serious about the society from which our Armed Forces are drawn. Recruitment and resilience do not begin at the recruitment office; they begin in the homes, schools, youth clubs and cadet units of this country. In communities where too many young people are exposed to gangs, drugs, crime and, worst of all, low aspirations, and there is an absence of trusted adults, the cadet force offers some profoundly positive things: discipline without hostility, authority without fear and ambition rooted in service. Those are social and national goods, and they deserve to be recognised in the Bill.

The Armed Forces do not only defend our nation abroad; they help build character at home. They remind us that service and duty still matter and that young people, when given structure and belief, can rise. The Bill is an opportunity not only to support those who serve today and have served in the past but to invest in those who may serve tomorrow, whether it be in uniform, in public service, in our communities or simply as stronger and more responsible citizens. I hope that the Government take this responsibility.