Asked by: Sojan Joseph (Labour - Ashford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the (a) support and (b) resources available to the (i) Sea Cadets, (ii) Volunteer Cadet Corps, (iii) Army Cadet Force, (iv) Air Training Corps and (v) Combined Cadet Force in (A) England and (B) Kent.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
We are committed to sustaining the Ministry of Defence Cadet Forces in Kent, in England, and across the UK.
And Kent, as with other counties, is very well served with numerous Sea Cadet units, Army Cadet detachments and Air Cadet squadrons in the community, and Combined Cadet Force contingents in schools.
We know that participation in the Cadet Forces provides the opportunity for young people to develop key attributes such as confidence, self-discipline, and resilience, and helps to increase their performance at school and improving employment and career prospects.
We know that if just 1% of cadets change their life outcomes each year – so that they take part in education or training or gain employment – then the annual cost of the Cadet Forces is covered.
We are proud that we already invest a significant amount each year in these excellent organisations, and I have directed that we review how we can improve the offer and size of the Cadet Forces.
The Government is convinced of the benefits that the Cadet Forces provide, not just for young people who participate, but also for the adult volunteers who deliver the cadet experience, and for society as a whole.
Asked by: Sojan Joseph (Labour - Ashford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of cadet forces on the (i) mental health and (ii) wellbeing of young people.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Ministry of Defence has commissioned studies on the impact and value of the Cadet Forces to society and to schools. This independent research provides clear evidence that the cadet experience is not only engaging and fun but can, for some, be literally life changing.
We know that by participating in the cadets, young people can develop many important attributes and key life skills such as the ability to work well in a team, self-confidence, resilience and determination. All these contribute to positive health and wellbeing outcomes for the participants.
In fact, the research indicates that in terms of health and wellbeing alone participation in the Cadet Forces could yield significant annual returns on investment estimated as being in the region of £120 million each year. This being due to lifetime benefits accruing from increasing participation in further and higher education, fewer GP visits, and reductions in the use of mental health services.