Luke Pollard and Fred Thomas back £70m cadet expansion as Labour launches ‘30 by 30’ Campaign

Labour MPs Luke Pollard and Fred Thomas have welcomed the launch of the Government’s ambitious ‘30 by 30’ cadets campaign, which aims to boost cadet forces by 30% by the year 2030. The initiative, backed by £70 million of new funding, is part of Labour’s Strategic Defence Review and will create opportunities for more than 40,000 additional cadets across the UK.

The South West already has 15,585 cadets, with 6,335 based in schools and 9,250 in community units, and the expansion promises to significantly increase those numbers over the next five years.

Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said: "Every young person in Plymouth deserves an excellent start in life and the chance to discover their potential. I'm a proud supporter of the cadets in our city and I know how transformative it can be for building young people's confidence and developing new skills. This major expansion of the cadets will make a real difference for so many folks in Plymouth and across the country, backed by £70m of extra funding."

Fred Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View, agreed: "Joining the cadets presents young people with some incredible opportunities - it develops their skills, knowledge and character. Expanding the Cadet Force will open up more of these opportunities to young people in Plymouth, no matter their background. I'm delighted to see the government launch this campaign and I fully support it."

The ‘30 by 30’ campaign will give young people greater access to qualifications, confidence-building activities, and STEM skills, including new drone piloting training. The RAF Cadets will soon become the first youth organisation in the UK certified by the Civil Aviation Authority to train drone pilots, offering participants an industry-recognised qualification.

Other key elements of the initiative include:

• New Army and Air Cadet Centres to support growth in school-based units, adding to five already opened and 12 currently under construction.

• More adult volunteers, with streamlined recruitment processes and a fast-track route for veterans to join as mentors.

• A National Cadet Champion, to promote and support the cadet movement across the UK.

• Expanded STEM and cyber training, providing hands-on experience with advanced technology like drones and submersibles.

• Stronger support from regular and reserve forces, ensuring cadets have more opportunities to learn directly from military personnel.

Independent research shows that cadet participation leads to better school attendance, improved behaviour, and higher progression rates to university or employment. For young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, the positive impact is even more significant, providing structure and opportunities that can change life trajectories.

The investment is also designed to strengthen Britain’s economic and defence future, as cadets gain cutting-edge skills aligned with industries shaping the modern workforce.

The search for a new National Cadet Champion is now underway, with the goal of raising the profile of cadet forces and ensuring every young person, regardless of postcode or background, has the chance to take part.