Service Accommodation 2023-06-26
2023-06-26
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raises concerns about the quality of service family accommodation, noting substandard conditions and potential safety issues.
What recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of service accommodation for the armed forces? The Minister will have noticed substandard quality and squalor in certain cases. Some 800 families live in potentially unsafe homes without gas safety checks. What action is being taken to make these homes safe?
The Ministry of Defence has invested over £936 million in service family accommodation. Last year, £185 million was spent on modernising homes and tackling issues like damp and mould. Currently, 97% of MOD SFA meet or exceed the decent homes standard. On gas safety, an issue was identified on May 2nd, and 555 outstanding gas safety certificates will be cleared by June end.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not confirm specific actions beyond stating timelines for clearing gas safety checks.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlights the substandard quality of service family accommodation, noting that some families are living in unsafe conditions without proper gas safety checks.
When visiting various sites, I noticed substandard quality and squalor. Some 800 families live in potentially unsafe homes without gas safety checks. What action is being taken to make these homes safe?
The MOD recognises the importance of good-quality homes. On May 2, my hon. Friend was made aware of gas and electric safety issues. Currently, there are 555 outstanding gas safety certificates, almost all of which will be cleared by June end.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide details on specific actions other than timelines for completing checks.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP criticises the Future Defence Infrastructure Services contract for failing to ensure proper safety checks, questioning if the head of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation should consider stepping down.
Private or professional landlords would face legal action for not completing safety checks. It is unacceptable that armed forces personnel are at risk due to a broken contract. If the head of Defence Infrastructure Organisation is out of his depth, should he step down?
My hon. Friend identified an issue that my Ministerial colleague acted upon immediately to rectify it. I am not interested in getting people's scalps but ensuring issues are resolved, and this is happening.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not address the specific ask regarding stepping down of the head of Defence Infrastructure Organisation.
Getting People'S Scalps
Response accuracy