Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, what progress has he made in expanding in-school and community-based Cadet Forces across the country by 30% by 2030, as outlined in Recommendation 26.

Cadet Force volunteers are central to the success and growth of the Cadet Forces. The Government will implement a Volunteer First approach to improve recruitment and retention by simplifying onboarding, introducing more flexible volunteering opportunities, reducing administrative burdens, enhancing training, recognition and wellbeing support, and ensuring volunteers are properly supported and reimbursed for reasonable expenses. These measures will help build a stronger, more sustainable volunteer cohort for the future.