Conclusion 2

The government’s plans to increase the number of cadets by 30% by 2030 face several significant barriers. There are potentially great benefits for young people in expanding the cadet forces, which will mean increasing both the size and number of cadet units. Cadet forces can enhance social mobility and give confidence and structure to the most disadvantaged young people. The Minister for Veterans and People has told Parliament that the annual cost of the cadet forces is covered if just 3 1% of cadets change their life outcomes each year, so that they take part in education, training, or gain employment. The Department says that the cadet expansion plan has increased the number of cadet units in state schools, which accounts for 57% of school-based units, whereas independent schools used to account for about 70%. We were informed that there is no lack of interest from young people in joining the cadets, but there is a shortage of adult volunteers to run cadet units. The Department is still working out how to address this shortage. In doing so, it must ensure it maintains robust cadet safeguarding arrangements. Meanwhile, the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have responsibility for education and the Department’s approach to expanding the cadets within the devolved nations needs to take account of this. recommendation a. The Department should develop a plan by June 2026 (one year after the publication of the SDR) for increasing the number of cadets which sets out how it will: • ensure that young people from different backgrounds and all parts of the UK can join; • address barriers to expansion such as the number of adult volunteers; and • maintain robust safeguarding arrangements for the enlarged cadet forces. b. The Department should also set out how it will report on its progress, including regional breakdowns for the number of cadets, units and adult volunteers in the community cadets and Combined Cadet Force (including by type of sch