Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has for further funding of Combined Cadet Forces; and if he will make a statement.

We have set a target of expanding the number of Combined Cadet Forces (CCFs) in state schools.

We are moving towards a model for all CCFs which will involve schools making a small contribution towards the running costs of their units, irrespective of which sector the school is in. We are working with schools to establish the best way forward and our current plan is that funding changes will happen in a phased manner over a four-year period from September 2015.

The Secretary of State for Defence has not had discussions with the Combined Cadet Force Association (CCFA), although officials are in regular contact. The CCFA is represented on relevant Government cadet committees, and has been briefed on the planned changes.