Cadet closures due to safety issues impacting thousands of youngsters across UK
Army and Air Cadet units have been stood down across the country after a number of buildings were found to have insufficient safety certification.
The issue affects Army Cadet Force (ACF) and Air Training Corps (ATC) units from Wales to the West Midlands and Middlesex. Thousands of cadets have been impacted by the closures.
BFBS Forces News understands the building issues relate to a failure to renew mandatory five-year electrical safety certificates.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said: "Activity at a number of units has been temporarily paused to carry out essential maintenance work.
"Most units [are] to reopen in the coming weeks, and are working to minimise disruption, including through sourcing temporary accommodation."
A moving situation
We understand a review of compliance records across both the ACF and Air Cadets estates prompted the suspension.
BFBS Forces News has seen a letter sent by the Officer in Charge of 1084 ATC Squadron, which covers the Market Harborough area of Leicestershire, informing members and supporters of the squadron of an immediate stand down.
The letter, dated 29 January, reads: "It is with great regret that I must inform you that 1084 Squadron has been stood down with immediate effect.
"This decision has been taken due to irregularities identified with the building’s safety certification, meaning that no activities may take place at the Squadron Headquarters until these issues are fully rectified."
We understand some units have already reopened as new safety certification has been obtained.
A spokesperson for the MOD said: "We are engaging directly with affected units to find temporary homes for parade nights where they are required, such as through co-location at nearby MOD sites, local community centres, or shared use of other cadet facilities."
Strategic priority
A senior figure in the Army Cadet Force movement described the move as "a bit overzealous" and "at odds with the intent of the SDR."
The 2025 Strategic Defence Review recommended that the Government expand cadet forces nationwide by 30% by 2030, with the intent of reaching 250,000 cadets in the longer term.
The Government subsequently pledged £70m to the "30 by 30" scheme to achieve this goal, although it was criticised by the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee for failing to set out a plan to tackle the shortage of adult volunteers to operate cadet forces.
Part of a bigger picture
The ACF and ATC are two of five cadet forces in the UK supported by the MOD, along with the Sea Cadet Corps, the Volunteer Cadet Corps and the Combined Cadet Force. Collectively, the five forces encompass more than 95,000 cadets and 29,000 adult volunteers.
The ACF is the Army’s cadet force. It organises parade nights, training and activities for 37,000 cadets nationwide.
The ATC is the RAF equivalent, training 44,000 air cadets at over 9,000 squadrons across the country each year.
Neither are formally part of the military.
With additional reporting by James Wharton and Simon Newton
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