Armed Forces Housing 2026-02-02

2026-02-02

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Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Mohammad Yasin Lab
Bedford
Context
The Minister for Veterans and People previously announced a defence housing strategy with a £9 billion investment over ten years to upgrade, renew or rebuild 90% of military homes. The previous government was criticised for neglecting forces families in terms of housing.
I welcome the new publicly owned Defence Housing Service, which is already improving conditions for service families by bringing 4,688 of the 5,088 military homes in the eastern region back into public ownership for upgrade and renewal. Does the Minister agree that we must continue investing in our armed forces—the backbone of our national security—and that after years of neglect under the last Government, Labour’s £9 billion military housing strategy is finally delivering the homes and support that our service families deserve?
My hon. Friend is right to point out that under the previous Government, forces families were severely let down on housing. Under the plans set out in the defence housing strategy, 90% of military homes will, as he rightly notes, be upgraded, renewed or rebuilt.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Jim Shannon DUP
Strangford
Context
A site at Ballykinler has been vacant for five years despite having new windows and heating. The questioner suggests repurposing unused properties for youth camps, social housing or other purposes.
There is massive improvement in forces housing, but there is a site at Ballykinler that has been lying vacant for, I understand, five years. It is heated, and it has new windows. There has been lots of work done. I have written to the MOD, asking whether it is possible for properties that are not being used to be used for another purpose. For instance, they could be used for youth camps, for youth groups or for social housing, because this site in Ballykinler is secure.
As the hon. Member will be aware, I cannot provide an update on that specific instance now, but I will get an answer for him. We are exploring how we can make best use of the existing estate.
Assessment & feedback
Providing a direct update on the Ballykinler site
Cannot Provide An Update Now
Response accuracy