Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to increase the number of new cadets joining military cadet forces in 2026.

The Government fully recognises the benefits of cadets. Participation in the Cadet Forces has significant positive impacts on young people, increasing their performance at school, and improving their employment and career prospects.

The Strategic Defence Review recommended an expansion of in-school and community-based Cadet Forces across the UK of 30% by 2030. This timeline has recently been re-set in the Defence Investment Plan to 2035 as one of the measures required to increase the rate of Armed Forces transformation. Nevertheless, we are continuing to invest to expand and modernise the Cadet Forces and improve opportunities for young people across the UK.

Work is currently underway to determine how the 30% increase in cadet numbers - which equates to an additional 40,000 cadets - will be delivered. We have been undertaking a detailed assessment of the enablers required to support expansion. This is a key element in setting the foundations for sustainable growth.

We are also developing a new Cadets Action Plan which will focus on modernising the cadet experience, providing an attractive offer to retain and recruit adult volunteers, and ensuring that our cadets and volunteers have the right resources and support.

In addition, the first National Cadets Week will be held in October 2026 to celebrate and raise the profile of the Cadet Forces, one of the country's most effective youth organisations. This will showcase the MOD Cadet Forces and give thousands of young people across the country the opportunity to discover the benefits of the cadet experience.