Armed Forces Recruitment and Retention 2025-05-19
2025-05-19
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP notes a recruitment and retention crisis inherited from the previous government. He references his own history as a Royal Navy cadet to emphasize the importance of cadet forces for both recruitment and retention.
It may or may not come as a surprise to the House that I was once a Royal Navy cadet. I believe that the cadet force is hugely important to retention and recruitment. The trouble is getting people to step forward to help run cadet forces. I wonder whether the Government will consider some form of inducement scheme to encourage veterans—we know that every community has them—to step forward and help organise the cadets.
The hon. Gentleman is a role model for what someone can do by serving in the cadet forces. They are a fantastic way of growing in confidence, learning new skills and, for many young people, finding a career in the armed forces. Supporting those people who work with our cadets and help train them is vital. We know that there is a huge opportunity in expanding the cadets and investing more, and that is what the Government intend to do.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not address whether an inducement scheme would be implemented specifically for encouraging veterans to help organize cadets.
Vague Commitment
General Statement
Response accuracy