MP Conor McGinn calls for more support for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadets following key meeting.

Conor McGinn, MP for St Helens North, has urged the Ministry of Defence to raise their support for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadets, to match the ‘outstanding’ commitment they give to the community and the country.

The call came as Mr McGinn held a key meeting with Colonel Mark Underhill and Major Geoff Nuzum of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for the North West of England and Isle of Man (NW RFCA), to discuss their work in St Helens and the North West.

Formed in 1908 and known as the Territorial, Auxiliary and Volunteer Reserve Associations until 1999, the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations facilitates and champions the activities of Reserve Forces and Cadets from all three Armed Services.

Today, it is comprised of 13 individual associations, each with its own scheme of association, and with a collective reach that spans the length of the UK.

The RFCA in the North West supports the activities of some 3,000 Reservists, 12,880 Cadets and 3,138 Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, across 150 Army Cadet Detachments, 95 Air Training Corps and 49 Sea Cadet Units – including the Air Training Corps and Army Cadet Force in St Helens, and the Sea Cadet Corps and Army Cadet Force in Newton-le-Willows.

In the meeting, Mr McGinn paid tribute to local Reservists and Cadets, with whom he regularly meets and works – including at Remembrance Day and at Armed Forces Day each June.

Mr McGinn also spoke to the strong relationship that exists between St Helens Borough and local Reservists, Cadets and all Armed Forces personnel past and present, as well as the organisations and charities that support them.

He said: “St Helens has strong ties with our Armed Forces community, and local Reservists and Cadets play an integral role in that.

“Local Reservists and Cadets in St Helens and Newton-le-Willows are working hard in our community and I know their level of dedication is outstanding.

“As the Tory Government prepare to cut the Armed Forces by a further 10,000 troops, I will keep pushing to ensure Reserve Forces and Cadet programmes locally are protected and fully supported long into the future.”