Government Must Match Ambition on Reserves and Cadets with Clear Plans and Funding

Chris has called for the Government to ensure their ambitions for the Armed Forces reserves and cadet forces are backed up with proper plans and investment. A new Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report highlights major gaps in funding, facilities, and oversight that risk undermining the drive to expand both reserves and cadet numbers in the years ahead.

Chris has welcomed the Government’s ambition to expand the Armed Forces reserves and cadet forces. He says Ministers must now back those commitments with detailed, costed plans to make them a reality.

A new PAC report finds that while the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has set stretching targets for increasing the role of reserves and cadets, it has not yet produced a fully funded roadmap for delivery. The Committee warns that delays in investment, shortfalls in adult volunteers, and a declining estate of training sites and cadet huts could prevent these ambitions from being achieved.

Chris commented:

“It is right that the Government wants to strengthen the role of reserves in our Armed Forces and grow the cadet movement, which gives young people invaluable skills and opportunities. These are good ambitions, and they now need detailed plans, proper investment, and the facilities and support needed on the ground for them to succeed.”

The PAC report notes that while enthusiasm is strong — from young people keen to join cadets to employers willing to support reservists — there is a lack of the framework needed to turn that enthusiasm into long-term success. Recruiting and retaining adult volunteers, securing modern facilities, and ensuring robust financial oversight are all essential.

Chris added:

“I particularly welcome the Committee’s recommendation that the MoD works more closely with the devolved nations. Education is devolved, and in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, different approaches have been tried with mixed results. Closer partnership will be essential to make sure opportunities are open to all young people, no matter where they live, and that cadet expansion works fairly across the whole UK.”

Key findings in the report include:

• The Strategic Defence Review commits to a 20% increase in active reserves “when funding allows”, but investment is required within this Parliament to start that process.
• The ambition to increase cadet numbers by 30% by 2030 is welcome, but cannot be achieved without a clear plan to recruit and retain more adult volunteers.
• The volunteer estate of around 2,500 sites is in “managed decline”. Consolidation into modern “super reserve centres” is planned, but funding is not yet secured.
• Financial oversight of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations (RFCAs) needs urgent improvement, with accounts too often published years late despite managing £146 million of public funds in 2023–24.

Chris concluded:

“Reservists and cadet volunteers give extraordinary service in our communities. They deserve to know that the Government’s ambition for them will be delivered in practice. By 2026, we need to see a full plan for expansion, proper financial accountability, and investment in the sites and systems that underpin reserves and cadets.”

“The Government’s ambition is to be admired; it must now be matched with clear plans to ensure it is achieved. If Ministers get this right, the benefits will be felt not just in our national defence but across society.”

Click here to read the full report.