Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding his Department has allocated to support Cadet Forces in each of the (a) last and (b) next five years.

The Ministry of Defence allocates funding to the cadets through a number of different channels and therefore the cost of delivering and supporting Cadet activity falls across a wide range of business areas, agencies, and organisations. However, the latest estimate of the cost of the Cadet Forces, based on financial year 2023-24 was in the region over £210 million.

This Government is absolutely committed to supporting the Cadet Forces across the UK and the Strategic Defence Review has recommended expanding in-school and community-based Cadet Forces across the country by 30% by 2030, with an ambition to reach 250,000 in the longer term.

We are proud that we will continue to invest a significant amount each year in these excellent youth organisations. We know that if just 1% of cadets change their life outcomes each year – so that they take part in education or training or gain employment – the annual cost of the Cadet Forces is fully covered.