Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the size of the Army Cadet force.

The merits of the Army Cadet Force and the societal benefits of all Army cadets are well recognised, improving self-efficacy, enhancing ability to communicate, and strengthening physical and mental resilience leading to better employability prospects.

Work is currently underway to understand opportunities for expansion across Ministry of Defence Cadets. Although it is too early to make an accurate assessment on projected numbers, I have directed that a review is carried out, closely aligned with the Strategic Defence Review, to determine how we can deliver more cadet activity and increase the size and offer of the Cadet Forces.