UK Cadet Forces expansion target delayed from 2030 to 2035
The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the planned 30% expansion of the Cadet Forces, originally recommended by the Strategic Defence Review for 2030, has been pushed back to 2035. Defence Minister Calvin Bailey stated in a written answer to MP Andrew Rosindell that the timeline was reset in the Defence Investment Plan as part of measures to accelerate Armed Forces transformation. The expansion equates to an additional 40,000 cadets. Work on delivery remains at an early stage, with a detailed assessment of enablers underway. A new Cadets Action Plan focused on modernisation and volunteer recruitment is in development. The first National Cadets Week is scheduled for October 2026 to raise the profile of the programme, which is cited for its benefits in social mobility, skills, and school performance.
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