UK Inquiry Tracker

MoD’s oversight of Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations

Public Accounts Committee Closed Inquiry

Opened: 6 May 2025 Closed: 15 Dec 2025 Parliament page

The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations (RFCAs) were established in 1908, and support and provide infrastructure for the reserve forces and cadet forces of the British Army, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. There are 13 regional RFCAs, and their services underpin the effectiveness of the reserves, which … Read more The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations (RFCAs) were established in 1908, and support and provide infrastructure for the reserve forces and cadet forces of the British Army, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. There are 13 regional RFCAs, and their services underpin the effectiveness of the reserves, which the Ministry of Defence views as essential to UK military capability. In 2019, the MoD In 2019 the MoD published the ‘Sullivan review’ , which examined the need for the RFCAs, the appropriateness of their delivery model and the effectiveness of their governance and management. The PAC warned in 2018 that the armed forces had the largest shortfall of regulars for many years. It has skill shortages in over 100 critical trades. Its 2014 report into the Army 2020 strategy found that shortfalls in recruitment were then increasing the risk of capability gaps emerging in some parts of the Army’s structure, which in turn was increasing the risk of additional pressure being placed on regular troops. The National Audit Office (NAO) investigated the MoD’s oversight of the RFCAs in 2025, finding that financial, legal and governance risks remain in the organisation and operation of the RFCAs which it said the MoD must mitigate to support the evolving role of the reserve forces in national defence. Informed by the report, the PAC will question senior MoD officials on the current oversight arrangements, particularly the MoD’s current powers in relation to RCFAs. Please look at the requirements for written evidence submissions and note that the Committee cannot accept material as evidence that is published elsewhere. Please note that the Committee’s inquiry cannot assist with individual cases. If you need help with an individual problem you are having, you may wish to read the information on Parliament’s website about who you can contact with different issues . If you have evidence on these issues please submit it here by 23:59 on Monday 2 June 2025. Show less

17 Recommendations

11 Conclusions

1 Report

1 Oral session

5 Letters

1 Event

Activity timeline 9 events

20 Apr
2026

Correspondence

Letter from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence to the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee relating to the MOD’s oversigh…

19 Jan
2026

Report published

Treasury minutes: Government response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Forty-third report from Session 2024-26

5 Sep
2025

Report published

43rd Report - MoD’s oversight of Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations

4 Sep
2025

Correspondence

Dataset from the Permanent secretary of the Ministry of Defence relating to the response to the Chair's Letter on MoD oversight of the RFCA…

14 Jul
2025

Correspondence

Letter from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence relating to the follow up on questions relating to the inquiry into MoD’s ov…

7 Jul
2025

Correspondence

Letter from the Major General at the Ministry of Defence relating to the oral evidence session held on 16 June 2025 on MoD’s oversight of R…

7 Jul
2025

Correspondence

Letter to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence relating to the inquiry into MoD's oversight of the Reserve Forces' and Cadets…

16 Jun
2025

Oral evidence

Oral evidence session

16 Jun
2025

Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House

Committee event

Oral evidence sessions 1 session

16 Jun 2025

View on parliament.uk

Aneen Blackmore · Ministry of Defence David Williams · Daily Mail Major General Marc Overton · Ministry of Defence Major General (Rtd) Jamie Gordon · Council for Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations

Reports 1 report · click to expand

Title	HC No.	Published	Items	Response
43rd Report - MoD’s oversight of Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Ass…	HC 893	5 Sep 2025	28	Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

28 results

2 Conclusion Accepted

43rd Report - MoD’s oversight of R…

Develop a comprehensive plan to increase cadet numbers, ensuring diversity, volunteer support, and safeguarding.

The government’s plans to increase the number of cadets by 30% by 2030 face several significant barriers. There are potentially great benefits for young people in expanding the cadet forces, which will mean increasing both the size and number of … Read more The government’s plans to increase the number of cadets by 30% by 2030 face several significant barriers. There are potentially great benefits for young people in expanding the cadet forces, which will mean increasing both the size and number of cadet units. Cadet forces can enhance social mobility and give confidence and structure to the most disadvantaged young people. The Minister for Veterans and People has told Parliament that the annual cost of the cadet forces is covered if just 3 1% of cadets change their life outcomes each year, so that they take part in education, training, or gain employment. The Department says that the cadet expansion plan has increased the number of cadet units in state schools, which accounts for 57% of school-based units, whereas independent schools used to account for about 70%. We were informed that there is no lack of interest from young people in joining the cadets, but there is a shortage of adult volunteers to run cadet units. The Department is still working out how to address this shortage. In doing so, it must ensure it maintains robust cadet safeguarding arrangements. Meanwhile, the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have responsibility for education and the Department’s approach to expanding the cadets within the devolved nations needs to take account of this. recommendation a. The Department should develop a plan by June 2026 (one year after the publication of the SDR) for increasing the number of cadets which sets out how it will: • ensure that young people from different backgrounds and all parts of the UK can join; • address barriers to expansion such as the number of adult volunteers; and • maintain robust safeguarding arrangements for the enlarged cadet forces. b. The Department should also set out how it will report on its progress, including regional breakdowns for the number of cadets, units and adult volunteers in the community cadets and Combined Cadet Force (including by type of sch Show less

Government Response

The government agrees, but states that Defence Statistics already produces data on volunteer numbers, units, and regional breakdowns, and the joint MOD/DfE Cadet Expansion Project provides data on Combined Cadet Force units. It does not commit to developing the specific plan requested.

HM Treasury

MoD’s oversight of Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations

Activity timeline 9 events

Oral evidence sessions 1 session

Reports 1 report · click to expand

Recommendations & Conclusions

Develop a comprehensive plan to increase cadet numbers, ensuring diversity, volunteer support, and safeguarding.

Update Committee on progress establishing new NDPB for cadet and reserve forces.

Detail plans to enhance accountability for RFCA performance under current arrangements.

Integrate volunteer estate needs into defence investment plan and report on RFCA VAT progress.

Implement HM Treasury-compliant financial framework, publish timely RFCA accounts, and ensure future compliance.

Committee initiated inquiry into MOD oversight and support of Reserve Forces’ Associations.

Department plans digital solution for Strategic Reserve management by early 2027.

RFCAs adopting customer-segmentation approach for effective employer engagement.

Cadet forces develop youth, enhance social mobility, and demonstrate cost-effective societal impact.

Department welcomes Strategic Defence Review ambition for significant cadet force expansion by 2030.

Department has robust three-tier safeguarding framework for cadets, including DBS checks and training.

Cadet Expansion Programme successfully democratised movement, increasing state school cadet unit representation.

Shortage of adult volunteers hinders cadet expansion, requiring improved support and remuneration.

Cadet expansion programme experiences mixed success and capacity limitations across devolved nations.

Primary legislation for new RFCA NDPB thwarted by lack of parliamentary time.

Establishing new RFCA NDPB remains preferred route, legislation anticipated in 2026 Armed Forces Bill.

Balancing national oversight with local volunteer spirit is key challenge for RFCA reform.

RFCA governance and oversight require significant reform to support Strategic Defence Review ambitions.

Departmental oversight of RFCAs improved since 2019, implementing 70% of Sullivan Review recommendations.

RFCA service agreements improved, but lack clear escalation processes and accountability culture.

Volunteer estate of 2,500 dispersed sites is critical infrastructure for cadets and reserves.

Volunteer estate in managed decline, requiring optimisation programme to dispose and modernise sites.

Future estate optimisation phases lack secured funding and a firm completion timeline.

New volunteer estate maintenance contract experiencing initial performance issues.

Unanticipated VAT liability reduced RFCA volunteer estate maintenance funds.

Department consistently failed to publish Council's Annual Report and Accounts promptly.

Some RFCA financial reporting failed to comply with HM Treasury guidance.

Department lacks an overall HM Treasury compliant financial framework for RFCAs.

Government Response AI assessment · 28 of 17 classified

Correspondence 5 letters