Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Service Accommodation

Monday 11 September 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government invested 337 million in UK service family accommodation over the 2020-21 and 2021-22 financial years, with 163 million invested in 2022-23 and a forecast of 312 million for the current financial year.
  • The Command Paper refresh includes an additional 400 million for service family accommodation, doubling this year's spend compared to the previous year.
  • The Ministry of Defence is moving its soldiers out of RAF Scampton due to concerns regarding illegal migrants, following discussions with senior armed forces personnel at Catterick.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Emma Hardy Lab Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Defence
Context

The question arises from concerns over the adequacy of service family accommodation as highlighted by the Ofsted chief inspector, Amanda Spielman.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of service accommodation for armed forces personnel? The Ofsted chief inspector, Amanda Spielman, has repeatedly said that she has deep concerns about the continued failures to improve service accommodation for armed forces recruits over seven years. Why have those improvements not been made despite her concerns?

Answer from James Cartlidge

The Government continue to invest significant sums in UK service family accommodation, with £337 million invested over 2020-21 and 2021-22 financial years combined and £163 million in 2022-23. The forecast for this financial year is £312 million. Concerns do not fall on deaf ears, as the Command Paper refresh includes a further £400 million for SFA.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timeline and measures to address Ofsted's concerns were not provided.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Emma Hardy Lab Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Defence Veterans
Context

The question arises from concerns over the adequacy of service family accommodation as highlighted by the Ofsted chief inspector, Amanda Spielman.

Question

Ofsted chief inspector, Amanda Spielman, has repeatedly said that she has deep concerns about the continued failures to improve service accommodation for armed forces recruits over seven years. Will the Minister explain why those concerns from neutral Ofsted inspector Amanda Spielman have fallen on deaf ears and why those improvements are yet to be made?

Answer from James Cartlidge

This is an extremely important subject, and we care immensely about improving our estate. Concerns do not fall on deaf ears; the Command Paper refresh includes a further £400 million for SFA, which will double this year's spend compared to last year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timeline and measures to address Ofsted's concerns were not provided.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
Migrants & Borders Defence
Context

The question arises from concerns over the Prime Minister's promise to house illegal migrants at Catterick base, which has not been fulfilled.

Question

When will illegal migrants be placed in Catterick, as promised by the Prime Minister? The generals have said they do not want a bunch of Afghans and Iraqis next to their squaddies. We now understand that the Ministry of Defence is moving its soldiers out of RAF Scampton due to this issue.

Answer from James Cartlidge

I visited Catterick on Friday and discussed precisely that matter with senior members of the armed forces based there. The characterisation used is not correct; these matters are being considered objectively and carefully, but work is ongoing.

Not addressed: The specific date for housing illegal migrants was not provided.

How: Changing The Subject, Denying The Characterization

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)