Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Strategic Defence Review Recommendations: Timetable

Monday 8 September 2025 · 2 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Secretary of State discussed steps taken to improve military accommodation, including bringing 36,000 military family homes into public ownership.
  • The Minister highlighted the importance of adult volunteers in supporting cadet forces across the country.
  • The goal is to increase the number of cadet forces by 30 percent by the year 2030.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alex Brewer Lib Dem North East Hampshire
Defence Housing
Context

The strategic defence review has made recommendations to improve accommodation for military personnel, an issue with widespread agreement including in the Liberal Democrats and other parties. RAF Odiham is celebrating its centenary this year.

Question

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the planned timetable for implementing the recommendations of the strategic defence review. Given that there is widespread agreement with the Liberal Democrats on improving military accommodation, will the Secretary of State support bringing all military housing in line with the decent homes standard as part of today’s Renters’ Rights Bill vote?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey)

In the last year, we have taken huge steps to start to make good on decades of substandard housing for military personnel and their families. We have brought 36,000 military family homes back into public ownership so that we can plan exactly the sort of upgrade that the hon. Lady talks about.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Supporting bringing all military housing in line with the decent homes standard as part of today's Renters' Rights Bill vote

How: Changing Subject To Broader Defence Initiatives

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Q2 Peter Swallow Lab Bracknell
Context

The strategic defence review highlighted the need for a whole-of-society approach to defence, including expanding cadets by 30% by 2030. Support from adult volunteers is key.

Question

What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to ensure that more adult volunteers are able to support our fantastic cadets?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey)

My hon. Friend is exactly right. Cadet forces cannot exist without the adult volunteers who support them, and they are central to our ability to increase the number of cadet forces across this country by 30% by 2030, which will give so many young people opportunities in the future.

Answered
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