Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cadets

Monday 8 September 2025 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Lillian Jones inquired about increasing female participation in cadet forces, noting it currently stands at only a third of members.
  • Saqib Bhatti questioned the Government's plans to expand cadet forces by 30% by 2030, backed by 70 million.
  • Chris Vince praised the Harlow and district air cadets for their work in supporting young people and teaching leadership skills.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lillian Jones Lab Kilmarnock and Loudoun
Scotland Women & Equalities
Context

The MP references her personal experience as one of the first female cadets in Scotland during the mid-1980s. She highlights the current statistic that girls make up only a third of cadet forces.

Question

As one of the first female cadets in Scotland during the mid-1980s, I am aware of how transformative the cadet experience can be. However, now, in 2025, girls make up only a third of our cadet force. What more can my hon. Friend do to ensure that joining the cadets is seen as an exciting opportunity for girls as well as boys?

Answer from The Minister for Veterans and People (Al Carns)

I thank my hon. Friend for making that important point. The cadet forces are an inclusive organisation, and I have been delighted to be able to visit branches throughout the country, for instance in Cornwall. A couple of weeks ago I visited a summer camp to observe the diversity of the cadets, which, in some cases, is far better than it is in the armed forces. Currently, 36% of community-based and 39% of school-based cadets are female. That is a positive, important and encouraging trend, and I hope that it will continue over time.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister acknowledged the importance of inclusivity but did not provide specific steps to increase female participation in cadet forces beyond mentioning current statistics.

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Q2 Saqib Bhatti Con Meriden and Solihull East
Education Employment
Context

The MP expresses concern about the Public Accounts Committee's comments that there is a lack of detail and funding to achieve the government’s ambitious target to increase cadet numbers by 30%.

Question

I was in the King Edward’s school RAF combined cadet force, and until recently I was on the board of the West Midland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association. I was pleased to learn of the Government’s lofty ambition to increase cadet sizes, but I was worried by the comments of the Public Accounts Committee, which said recently that there was a distinct lack of “detail and funding” to achieve those numbers. Without the funding and without the detail, these plans and numbers are meaningless, are they not?

Answer from The Minister for Veterans and People (Al Carns)

There are two different issues here. The first one is about expanding the cadet forces by 30% by 2030—there is £70 million behind that, and the plan for how to deliver it is being developed. The second point, on the Public Accounts Committee, is about the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations and is primarily about infrastructure, which we are working on now. That is a legacy issue. We are trying to rejuvenate it and make sure that the accommodation, and indeed the infrastructure, is fit for purpose for the cadets and the reserves as we move forward.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister acknowledged both concerns but did not provide specific details on how the £70 million would be allocated or what exactly was being developed to deliver the expansion plans.

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Q3 Chris Vince Labour (Co-op) Harlow
Context

The MP visited the Harlow and district air cadets before recess and noted their work in supporting young people from across Harlow, teaching them leadership skills and building a sense of community.

Question

Before recess, I was lucky enough to visit Harlow and district air cadets and see the wonderful work that they do in supporting young people from across Harlow, teaching them leadership skills and building a sense of community. Will the Minister join me in congratulating Harlow and district air cadets on their work, and recognise the importance that all types of cadets—in this case, air cadets—make to communities like mine in Harlow, and particularly working-class communities?

Answer from The Minister for Veterans and People (Al Carns)

I thank my hon. Friend 110%. The cadets are all about social mobility, giving kids opportunity and getting them up and out, and that is what Labour is all about. From my perspective, the air cadets are amazing. I went to the summer camp, which had everything—flying planes, STEM, sports and flying drones—and it was absolutely outstanding. I congratulate the Harlow air cadets; hopefully, I will get to visit them in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister provided praise for the Harlow air cadets but did not commit to a specific visit or acknowledgment beyond his current engagements.

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