Action to finish scandal of squalid navy household housing | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Defence Secretary John Healey has vowed to finish the scandal of members of the armed forces and their households dwelling in squalid situations. He has pledged to “stop the rot” as concern mounts about wretched situations endured by servicemen and ladies and their family members.

A brand new “charter” for navy households will set larger requirements for lodging and follows 36,000 properties being introduced again into public possession.

The defence committee final yr denounced the standard of housing as “shocking”, warning that two-thirds of lodging wanted work to convey it as much as trendy requirements. The Government was warned of the hazard posed by critical damp and mildew to the well being of people who find themselves ready to combat for his or her nation.

There is proof that poor housing has inspired folks to stop the forces at a time when there are robust considerations in regards to the energy of Britain’s preventing power.

The Ministry of Defence is now promising “homes fit for heroes”. Residents of the housing will achieve “basic consumer rights” and a “robust complaints system”.

This is alongside plans to “turbocharge” the event of surplus navy land for housing which ought to create new alternatives for members of the armed forces to personal their very own properties.

The MoD says that by bringing navy properties again into public possession this may save the taxpayer “£600,000 per day by eliminating rental payments to a private company”.

Up to 1,000 of the worst properties might be refurbished as a “down-payment” for enhancements promised as a part of a brand new defence housing technique.

The Defence Secretary mentioned: “Our armed forces serve with extraordinary dedication and courage to keep us safe. It is only right that they and their families live in the homes they deserve.

“For too long, military families have endured substandard housing without the basic consumer rights that any of us should expect in our homes. That must end and our new consumer charter will begin to stop the rot and put families at the heart of that transformation.

“We cannot turn around years of failure on forces housing overnight, but by bringing 36,000 military homes back into public ownership, we’ve already taken greater control and are working at pace to drive up standards. This is about providing homes fit for the heroes who serve our nation, and I’m determined to deliver the decent, affordable housing that our forces families have every right to expect.”

Natalie Elphicke Ross, a housing skilled and former Conservative MP who defected to Labour, will chair the defence housing technique assessment.

She mentioned: “Our pride in our armed forces must include pride in our military homes. Delivering better housing, boosting home ownership opportunities for service personnel and improving the experiences of service families will be at the heart of our work.”

Reform UK MP Lee Anderson condemned the remedy of navy households, saying: “While Britain’s finest are forced to endure substandard housing — battling mould, rot, vermin, and crumbling infrastructure — illegal migrants are being housed in free hotel rooms and clothed at the taxpayer’s expense. Labour’s message is clear: come here illegally, and you’ll be rewarded, all while hardworking Brits who keep this country afloat are left behind.

“This is nothing short of shameful and unacceptable. No serious first-world nation would tolerate such a disgraceful imbalance.”

A spokesperson for the Army Families Federation harassed the necessity for a multi-year dedication to enhancements, saying: “Funding for service family’s accommodation will be a long-term commitment, not a short-term solution and will need consistent financial input in order to see the growth in estate that is required to meet the needs of families now and in the future.”

Mark Atkinson, Director General of the Royal British Legion, mentioned: “We welcome these important steps to improve accommodation, so that those who serve this country, and their families, can thrive.

“All serving personnel and their families have the right to high quality housing that supports modern family life. Despite investment to address specific issues, overall satisfaction with accommodation remains concerningly low. A 2024 survey showed that fewer than half of those in Service Family Accommodation were satisfied with their housing.

“In recent years RBL has supported Service families with issues including damp and mould, and people facing delays in moving into new properties. If anyone from the Armed Forces community is facing difficulties, please tell them to contact the RBL on 0808 802 8080.”