Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cadets 2026-07-06

Monday 6 July 2026 · 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Minister is committed to expanding and modernising the five MOD-sponsored cadet forces, aiming for a 30% growth target by 2035.
  • The next cadet action plan will be published during National Cadets Week in October.
  • The Minister offered to meet Leigh Ingham to discuss issues related to cadet units.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Simmonds Con
Defence
Context

The MP is concerned about the support provided to cadet programmes.

Question

What steps he is taking to support cadets. My question relates to supporting cadet centres such as the TS Pelican in Ruislip, a vital part of our armed forces community. However, given that the Government have decided to cut funding for these groups, can you tell me what progress is being made with private sector investment?

Answer from Calvin Bailey

We are committed to expanding and modernising the five MOD-sponsored cadet forces, aiming for a 30% growth target by 2035. The next action plan will be published during National Cadets Week in October. We still intend to expand the cadet forces by 40,000 cadets.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific progress on private sector investment was not addressed.

How: We Are Committed To Expanding And Modernising

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 David Simmonds Con
Defence
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of funding cuts on cadet centres such as TS Pelican in Ruislip.

Question

Cadet centres such as the TS Pelican in Ruislip are a vital part of our armed forces community, but given that the Government have decided to cut the funding that supports our cadet groups, can the Minister tell us what progress is being made with private sector investment that the Government have said will backfill the consequences of those cuts?

Answer from Calvin Bailey

We still intend to expand the cadet forces by 40,000 cadets, and that target will be met by 2035. The details are in the cadet action plan.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific progress on private sector investment was not addressed.

How: We Still Intend To Expand

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Leigh Ingham Lab
Defence
Context

The MP visited the sea cadets in Stafford and noted their enthusiasm despite lacking a coastline.

Question

I recently visited the sea cadets in Stafford, and it was brilliant. They are somehow thriving, despite being about 70 miles from the nearest coastline. What they lack in coastline, they very much make up for in enthusiasm. Unlike some of the Army and air cadet units, sea cadets are run as a charity and miss out on the cadet expansion programme funding. Will the Minister tell me what support is available for sites such as Stafford, so that even those of us missing out on sea access do not miss out on fair funding access?

Answer from Calvin Bailey

I would direct her to the cadet action plan and will meet her to discuss these issues.

Not addressed: Specific support for sites like Stafford was not addressed.

How: I Would Direct Her

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email