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Pushing ahead with cadets in schools

21/10/2016
Various

The Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon, choose the Conservative Party conference to announce the next phase of the Cadet Expansion Programme with 25 new cadet units being set up in state schools.

Under-18s in army ‘face greater injury, death and mental health risks’

18/10/2016
Guardian

Recruiting children aged 16 and 17 into the British army places them at greater risk of death, injury and long-term mental health problems than those recruited as adults, according to a new report.

Media coverage of our petition to the Scottish Parliament

19/09/2016
various

On Thursday 15 September, ForcesWatch and Quakers in Scotland went to the Scottish Parliament to give evidence to the Public Petitions Committee about armed forces visits to schools.

Petition on Military Visits to Scotland’s Schools being heard in Parliament

13/09/2016
ForcesWatch press release

A petition calling for increased transparency and scrutiny of armed forces visits to schools in Scotland comes before Holyrood this Thursday 15 September.

Who goes there? Campaigners fight to keep military away from UK schools

31/08/2016
The Guardian

Britain is the only EU country to enlist 16-year-olds into the armed services and, say objectors, it starts with access to the classroom.

Concern over activities for school children at Farnborough arms fair

13/07/2016
ForcesWatch press release

ForcesWatch is raising ‘serious concerns’ about aspects of the Farnborough International Air Show designed to engage children and young people in careers and ‘exciting’ activities. The‘air show’ is taking place this coming weekend. Associated events this week include a major arms fair, civil aerospace exhibition and hosting of military delegations from some of the world’s most repressive regimes.

£2m ‘character education’ grant goes to military-style projects

27/06/2016
Schools Week

A third of a £6 million funding pot aimed at building character in school pupils will be targeted at military-style projects, prompting criticism from campaigners.

Where did Osborne’s £50m school cadet forces grant go?

13/06/2016
Schools Week

The impact of a £50 million grant to boost school cadet forces cannot be scrutinised because the government will not release details – although there are few signs of the 100 units a year needed to meet the ambitious target and new figures show a decline in number of school cadets. ForcesWatch are quoted: “This huge amount of money could have been allocated towards educational resources that do not have a military framework and would have far wider appeal.”

Government must take urgent action over Deepcut recommendations

02/06/2016
ForcesWatch press release

With the new inquest verdict into the death of Cheryl James at Deepcut, ForcesWatch is calling on Ministers to implement important recommendations for young recruits made in 2005.

MoD increases targeting of 16-year-olds show figures released today

01/06/2016
Child Soldiers International

Figures show that more 16 year olds were recruited in the last year than 17 year olds as the government admits that is intends to increase the number of children it recruits into the armed forces.