- Stephen Morgan MP hails the Government’s backing for forces families as over 700 forces family homes in Portsmouth set for a boost with landmark new legislation brought forward.
- New Defence Housing Service to be put into law as the Armed Forces Bill is introduced to Parliament, turbocharging biggest renewal of military housing in a generation, and finally putting forces’ families first.
- Government also delivers on manifesto commitment to boost support for brave personnel as Armed Forces Covenant to be extended improving services for tens of thousands of serving personnel and veterans.
783 military homes across Portsmouth will benefit from new legislation to create a new, publicly owned Defence Housing Service to renew tens of thousands of military homes and address years of underinvestment.
The new service is backed by Labour’s record £9bn Armed Forces Housing strategy to end the scandal of poor-quality military housing and build homes fit for heroes. The legislation will establish the Defence Housing Service, which will turbocharge a generational renewal of nine in ten forces homes while kickstarting the development of 100,000 homes on surplus defence land, with personnel and veterans the first in line.
This announcement was made possible by Labour’s deal to bring 36,000 forces family homes back into public ownership earlier this year, including 14,435 homes in the South East. This ended a disastrous 1996 Tory privatisation of military housing which cost the taxpayer billions. Labour’s landmark buy-back saved over £200 million per year in rent payments, savings which are now being reinvested in fixing forces homes.
The Armed Forces Bill will also for the first time extend the Armed Forces Covenant across all areas of central government, devolved governments and local authorities – fulfilling a manifesto promise.
This means social care, employment support and other public services will be legally required to consider the unique circumstances faced by forces personnel and their families. The move will benefit 10,000 serving personnel in the South East and 9,278 veterans in Portsmouth.
The plan delivers on Labour’s manifesto commitment to back Britain’s Armed Forces community after years of chronic underinvestment by the Conservatives drove down military morale driving many to leave the forces.
Announcing the major boost for local military families, Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, said:
“This new legislation debated in parliament today is reaffirming this Government’s commitment to putting forces and their families first.”
“Thousands of current and former service personnel will benefit from improved access to local services, delivering on our manifesto commitment.”
“Through our new publicly owned Defence Housing Service, we will deliver the biggest boost to military homes in a generation.
“I know Portsmouth Armed Forces community, and our whole city as the heart and home of the Royal Navy, will welcome this action.”
Labour’s Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:
“Our Armed Forces make extraordinary sacrifices to keep this country safe. In return, they deserve homes fit for their families and the support of a nation that proudly values their service.
“This Bill delivers rapidly on our commitment to renew the contract with those who serve.
“Through this legislation, a new Defence Housing Service will drive the biggest improvement in forces accommodation for a generation, we will ensure reserve forces can step up when needed and we will extend legal protections so that every part of government considers the needs of our service personnel and their families.”
