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Govt edges towards target of 500 school-based cadet units by 2020

Published on: 8 May 2018

New cadet units will be created at 26 UK schools under the government’s Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP).

This announcement means that the government remains on target to have a total of 500 cadet units running in the UK by 2020. As it stands, 418 cadet units are already up and running and this latest wave pushes that total to 453.

Schools set to benefit include three in East Anglia, two in the East Midlands, four in Greater London, one in the North East, four in the North West, one in the South East, six in the West Midlands, three in Yorkshire & Humberside, one in Scotland and one in Wales.

In some cases, the government says it has picked less prosperous areas where opportunities for cadet units were previously limited.

The Cadet Expansion Programme is backed by £50 million funding from Libor fines, which covers set up costs, uniforms, equipment and training.

An independent report published by Northampton University found that being a cadet can increase social mobility and help disadvantaged children reach their potential.