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Written Question
Armed Forces: Cadets
Monday 15th June 2020

Asked by: Lord Lingfield (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the attainment of Cadet Expansion Programme targets.

Answered by Baroness Goldie

The Cadet Expansion Programme aimed to have 500 cadet units parading in schools by March 2020. This target was met five months early in November 2019. The Government’s ambition is to now grow the number of cadets attending these units to 60,000 by 2024.

COVID-19 caused the closure of all secondary schools and the suspension of all face-to-face cadet activity from 17 March. Restarting activity in school cadet units will be at the Headteachers’ discretion, subject to Government guidance and will be secondary to efforts to return schools to normal service.

Cadet training personnel from the Services will be available to support school cadet units in returning to activity when Headteachers decide the time is right.


Written Question
Armed Forces: Cadets
Monday 15th June 2020

Asked by: Lord Lingfield (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the cadet forces to resume their normal activities as the COVID-19 lockdown is lifted.

Answered by Baroness Goldie

Face-to-face cadet activity has been suspended since 17 March but a significant effort by adult volunteers to engage cadets in virtual activities has resulted in around 70% of units participating online. This important action is being taken to retain the engagement of young people and adult volunteers and to prepare for when normal cadet activities recommence.

Planning is currently underway across the cadet forces for a gradual step-by-step return to face-to-face cadet activity in line with Government guidance on easing COVID-19 restrictions. The Service cadet organisations are ready to support cadet units returning to normal cadet activity when it is right to do so.