Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Housing: Military Personnel and Families

Monday 6 January 2025 · 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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial support for the largest pay rise for military personnel in over two decades.
  • Annington deal saves 230 million annually and improves accommodation for military personnel and families over five to ten years.
  • Renationalisation of service housing aims to deliver fit-for-purpose homes for military families within a 5-10 year timeframe.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sadik Al-Hassan Lab North Somerset
Defence Housing
Context

The sale of service family accommodation in 1996 and the recent Annington homes deal have been criticized for poor conditions.

Question

I am concerned about the record-low morale among military personnel under the previous government. I welcome the largest pay rise for forces in over two decades from this Government, but what steps will the housing deal take to improve service lives practically?

Answer from The Minister for Veterans and People (Al Carns)

I agree with my hon. Friend's point about morale. The Annington deal, supported by both sides of the House, saves £230 million annually and allows us to renovate or rebuild accommodation over five to ten years, significantly improving living conditions for military personnel and their families.

Answered
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Q2 Paul Foster Lab South Ribble
Defence Housing
Context

Military accommodation conditions have been a long-standing issue, with poor conditions discussed frequently over the past two decades.

Question

In my service experience from the late '80s to early 2000s, I faced substandard housing conditions regularly. Now, after another 20 years, we are revisiting this issue. Can the Minister assure that a strategic defence review will provide clear timelines for improving military accommodation?

Answer from The Minister for Veterans and People (Al Carns)

Yes, as part of the SDR, we will set out a new defence housing strategy that includes how we can improve Annington's management to deliver better housing conditions for our armed forces over time.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific timelines and programme delivery dates

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Q3 Lewis Atkinson Lab Sunderland Central
Defence Housing
Context

The Government has recently decided to renationalise service housing, ending a long period where families lived in substandard accommodation.

Question

I support the government’s decision to renationalise service housing. How will this investment lead to tangible improvements for military families? What timescales can we expect these changes?

Answer from The Minister for Veterans and People (Al Carns)

We are buying back properties from Annington to refurbish or rebuild them. Our comprehensive plan aims to deliver fit-for-purpose housing over a period of 5-10 years across the country, addressing longstanding issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific timelines and immediate improvements

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