Luke Evans MP (Conservative – Hinckley and Bosworth) recently raised concerns in Parliament regarding the potential long-term impact of ending the additional SSI grant on the sustainability of school-based cadet forces.
The query follows a previous response addressing funding issues for school cadet units under the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) programme.
Responding on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Parliamentary Under-Secretary Al Carns reassured that the Government’s commitment to school cadet forces remains steadfast. “Our commitment to supporting the school-based Combined Cadet Force and the Cadet Expansion Programme in schools remains unchanged,” Carns stated, emphasising the importance of cadet activities for young people and schools.
Carns highlighted the benefits of cadet participation, noting that such activities “bring positive contributions to schools and life-changing experiences for young people.” The MoD currently allocates £3.6 million annually to the programme, aiming to ensure that more students can access the opportunities provided by cadet forces.
Acknowledging concerns raised about the impact of ending the additional SSI grant, Carns revealed that he has directed a review to assess how the MoD can expand cadet activities both in schools and in community settings. “The role and support to the SSI will figure in this review,” he added, indicating that the department is actively exploring ways to address the challenges and ensure long-term sustainability.
The review is expected to provide recommendations on maintaining and enhancing the reach of cadet programmes, further demonstrating the Government’s intent to preserve the vital contributions of these initiatives in building skills, confidence, and discipline among young people.
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As an ex cadet myself It is a fantastic organisation for young teens. And hugely important for Armed Force’s recruitment.
An what about all the woke staff?
Does it exist or is it just false propaganda from far right fascist white men supremacists groups?
Stuff
Can only speak from my own experience but the only ‘staff’ I interacted with were the school staff being supervised by an ex or current squaddie, politics never came up.
Woohoo!
Now just get the logistics sorted. My section’s been asking for leading cadet and experience flying badges for months with no response, and my brassard is feeling underdressed!
Good news. Financing should never have been cut in the first place.
Join the armed forces, travel to wonderful places, meet lots of interesting people and kill them. 😎❤️☮️
And ?
Very funny! The truth can be very different. I served for 34 years and never fired my weapon in combat.
Thats great news for the school based cadet forces, but there is no metion of the county based detachments?
Because this article relates to the SSI (School Staff Instructor) grant.
ACFs do not have SSIs therefore does not apply
The UK cadet forces are a waste of the MoD’s money and I should know: I have been a uniformed adult instructor for the last twelve years and only two cadets I have taught have joined the UK Armed Forces in that time. Hence I shall quit early next year. I’ve been waiting for the award of the Cadet Forces Medal for the last three years (qualification time 9 years for those who, like me, are ex-forces), which is the longest I have had to wait for either a service or campaign medal. That shows how much my organisation appreciates… Read more »
The UK cadet forces are a waste of the MoD’s money and I should know: I have been a uniformed adult instructor for the last twelve years and only two cadets I have taught have joined the UK Armed Forces in that time. Hence I shall quit early next year. I’ve been waiting for the award of the Cadet Forces Medal for the last three years (qualification time 9 years for those who, like me, are ex-forces), which is the longest I have had to wait for either a service or campaign medal. That shows how much my organisation appreciates… Read more »
James, you are quitting because only 2 of your ex-cadets joined HM Forces? You surely must know that the cadet movement’s raison d’etre is not acting as a recruiting sergeant for the Regulars, surely. It is a youth organisation, pure and simple.
I am sorry that you have waited a long time for award of your CFM, but you can’t say that means the cadet forces are a waste MoD’s money, surely.
I spent 5 years as a CFAV in Sussex and saw that the cadets gained considerable benefit from their time in the ACF.
Good Morning Graham. To be honest I never even knew the UK had school based Cadets!! I was an Army Cadet at our school in Durban in 1966. Our training consisted primarily of Parade Ground drill with.303 rifles sans firing pins. As it was our schools Centenary Celebration year, selected Cadets, self included, marched the length of West street and took the salute from the Mayor of Durban and some other top SADF Brass. My only gripe was that instead of berets issued to most other cadets in SA, we had to wear Afrika Corps type caps-dead ringers for Rommel’s… Read more »
Hi Geoff, you never heard of the CCF?! I guess you didn’t have them in SA. In the UK the CCF was the successor organisation to cadet corps established in certain universities and public (ie private) schools under the aegis of the Volunteer Corps. The university cadet corps were later retitled to OTCs. The first school cadet corps was established at Rossall School in February 1860, initially as an army contingent only. Your narrative is fascinating. I was an ACF cadet in 1968-72 in Crawley capbadged to The Queens Regiment. We had BD (Battle Dress) as our parade uniform, which… Read more »
Good Morning Graham. Thanks for this information and I am very pleased to hear that your Cadet organisation is alive and thriving! The fact that there are 40 000 cadets puts things into perspective with only 80 000 Regulars and 30 000 “Territorials” currently on muster in the UK! Our Unit also had a Cadet Brass Band which for some reason, were allowed to wear Khaki berets. Our Cap Badge from memory was a standard SA Army Springbok emblem. Our 303.s were housed in the school armoury and selected cadets got to go to a local Shooting Range for practice… Read more »
..placed the Crown on the Regimental Shield under the SA Army Lion Emblem..
Great stuff. That 40k+ figure I quoted was just for CCFs in schools. Many more in community based cadet forces. In West and East Sussex combined there is only 1 reg army unit and many more cadets than regular soldiers by far.
The funding cuts for cadet forces is 50%, the CFAV’s are paid a ‘Volunteers Allowance’ (VA) ranging from £70 – £200 per training day depending on rank.
The VA rate could be changed to a flat rate for all ranks (£80) per training day.
The members and organisations are promoted as been ‘Volunteery’, members are not ’employed’ so have no employment rights.
Having a flat VA rate will massively reduce to financial postion and will bennifit the young people who are members.