Defence Housing Strategy
(1 day, 13 hours ago)
Written StatementsRead Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
The Minister for the Armed Forces (Al Carns)
Our brave service personnel and their families make extraordinary sacrifices to keep us all safe. In this new era of threat, we rely on them more every day. The least they deserve in return is a decent home.
Years of chronic under-investment and the failed 1996 privatisation of military housing have driven down forces’ morale and driven too many personnel out of our armed forces altogether, contributing to a long-term decline in numbers. The very least they deserve is a warm, secure, decent home. And yet, over the past decade and a half, military housing has been steadily getting worse, with families forced to live in damp, mouldy, poorly maintained accommodation. Satisfaction with forces housing fell to its lowest level on record in 2023.
High-quality service family accommodation, with rents set at a significant discount to the open market, should be an active driver of people into our armed forces. But for the past 14 years, it has too often been the opposite.
Many of the problems we inherited derive from the Conservatives’ sell-off of our nation’s military homes to private company Annington Homes Ltd in 1996. Under the terms of this botched deal, the taxpayer picked up the bill for maintenance and rent. But any benefits from development opportunities or increase in the value of the homes were surrendered to a private equity fund. By the time Labour came to Government last year, that deal was costing the British taxpayer £600,000 a day in rental payments, with all maintenance costs also falling on the Government. This deal left our nation nearly £8 billion worse off and crucially, left a generation of dedicated service personnel and their families in substandard homes.
Six months after being elected to Government, we transferred more than 36,000 military homes back into public hands. This decisive action unlocked a historic opportunity to fix forces housing and supercharge housebuilding on defence land. Over the past six months, we have been making rapid improvements to ensure that our people feel swift benefits from this deal. In April, we launched a new consumer charter for forces families giving each family a named housing officer, introducing higher move-in standards, making quicker repairs and accelerating a renovation programme to modernise the worst homes.
This summer, we updated the charter to remove absurd rules that should never have been imposed, so forces families can now decorate how they wish and keep pets without seeking permission. And in May, we pledged an additional £1.5 billion of investment into service family accommodation this Parliament.
We are building on the progress of the past year by publishing our defence housing strategy, the most significant change for armed forces housing in more than 50 years. A copy of the strategy has been placed in the Library of the House. This strategy starts one of Britain’s most ambitious building programmes in decades, delivering new homes for military and civilian families and driving economic growth. This Government will deliver on all their recommendations.
Recommendations include:
Committing to a generational renewal of military housing.
Nine in 10 military homes to be modernised or upgraded to new, higher standards, with 14,000 homes rebuilt or substantially refurbished, backed by a 10-year investment programme totalling £9.2 billion.
Establishing a new ‘forces first’ approach, underpinned by a new, stand-alone defence housing service, to better manage military homes. This will ensure that defence is putting the voices of forces families at the forefront, while delivering new home ownership opportunities for veterans and serving military personnel.
Delivering for the nation by kickstarting a historic programme of house building on surplus defence land, with the potential for over 100,000 new homes for civilian and military families, delivering billions of pounds in economic output and supporting thousands of jobs.
There are two fundamental objectives: first, to fix the homes that we have, and secondly, to build more homes for our forces and for families across Britain.
On the first of those points, we are making a clean break after 14 years of under-investment and decline. This Government have kickstarted a decade of renewal and a historic level of investment to bring forces homes up to a standard befitting our armed forces. Thousands of military homes will receive a complete makeover, with new kitchens, bathrooms and heating systems, to ensure military families have the homes that they deserve. Work on 1,000 of the worst homes is already under way. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to right the wrongs of the past and set a higher bar for forces’ accommodation, so that it matches the levels accepted as the norm by the very best civilian housing organisations.
Delivering more homes, in the right places, also means that after years of uncertainty, we can widen access to service housing to better reflect modern life. This means forces personnel who share responsibility for their child’s upbringing and couples in long-term relationships will, in future, be able to access defence family housing for the first time.
As well as renewing the homes we have, we will supercharge surplus defence land to build the new homes that Britain needs. The Ministry of Defence owns a lot of land and, through the defence housing strategy, we will convert this opportunity to an advantage. Using surplus defence land not needed for current operational use, we have the capacity to build over 100,000 homes for both military and civilian families, creating jobs and growth up and down the country. Under the ‘forces first’ policy, military families and veterans have the chance to go to the front of the queue for home ownership on these sites. This programme will not only prioritise those who serve and have served our nation, but also support the national house building target and help drive economic growth.
A ‘forces first’ pilot is already under way in Feltham, south-west London, and is expected to generate hundreds of homes and jobs. The MOD has now undertaken a fresh land release exercise that could unlock thousands more homes. When surplus land is identified, it will no longer be sold off in a fire sale of assets that yields next to nothing for our armed forces or economy. From now on, defence land will be used as a stimulus to build the homes that Britain needs, create jobs and drive growth.
This Government recognise that we cannot transform our warfighting capability without also improving the welfare of our people. These two concepts are not in competition; they are inseparable. Last year, our armed forces were awarded the biggest pay rise in two decades and we expanded wraparound childcare support to families deployed overseas. Today, we are promising safe and decent housing for every single forces family, backed by the necessary funding.
The Government thank all those who worked so hard on the strategy, particularly the chair, Natalie Elphicke Ross, and her small, dedicated team for their expertise and rigour. Also, the forces’ families federations and thousands in our service community, who contributed vital insight and candour.
[HCWS1016]
UK COP30 Priorities
(1 day, 13 hours ago)
Written StatementsRead Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Ed Miliband)
Britain is going to COP30 to fight for our national interest and protect our way of life by working with other countries.
In the UK, we have put clean energy at the heart of our Government’s agenda, because it is the route to energy security, lower bills and good jobs for our country today. At COP30, we will be working with others to drive global action on the climate and nature crises to protect our home for future generations.
Communities are already paying the price of these crises—from wildfires in Scotland and flooding in Sussex to the devastation of Hurricane Melissa and repeated flooding in Brazil. Britain is just 1% of global emissions, which is why we must work with others to avoid disaster.
We are making progress as a world—and British leadership has made a difference. Before the Paris agreement, the world was on track for 4°C of warming. Now 2030 national commitments put us on course for 2.6°C, and 80% of global GDP is covered by net zero commitments. Globally, twice as much is invested in clean energy as fossil fuels. More is invested in solar each year than in all other power sources combined, and renewables have overtaken coal as the largest global electricity source.
We must go further and faster, but we must not overlook the progress made, or the role of British leadership in making it happen. From the world-leading Climate Change Act in 2008 to the success of COP26 in Glasgow to being the first major economy to legislate for net zero, Britain has helped change the course of global action. This leadership is more important than ever, because the world remains on a dangerous course, and we need to accelerate action. At COP30, Britain will be working with the Brazilian presidency and others to push for progress in five key areas:
1. Accelerating the global clean energy transition
Building on our clean energy mission at home, we will work with others abroad to drive progress towards the goal of tripling renewables and doubling energy efficiency improvement rates globally by 2030—including through the Global Clean Power Alliance. We will also drive forward progress in tackling super-pollutants such as methane, in order to deliver climate action and cleaner air. By speeding up the roll-out of clean energy internationally, we will unlock new investment and export opportunities for our country.
2. Driving ambition and accelerating implementation
The UK has led the way with an ambitious 2035 nationally determined contribution that is economy-wide, covers all greenhouses gases and is 1.5°C-aligned. It was announced by the Prime Minister at COP29 last year. We will continue to build on this to encourage others to act. We will call for COP30 to respond to the 2035 NDCs brought forward so far, and say how we will close the gap to keep 1.5°C within reach. To accelerate implementation, we will work with Brazil and others on reform of the global climate action agenda.
3. Protecting forests and nature
As countries gather for a COP in the Amazon, the UK will continue championing the commitment to halting and reversing forest loss by 2030, including through our role as co-chair of the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership. We will support Brazil and other forest nations in scaling investment in forest-positive economies, including through high-integrity carbon markets. That will help Brazil to develop the tropical forest forever facility and support indigenous peoples and local communities.
4. Building global resilience to climate impacts
We will push for COP30 to finalise a robust and practical set of global indicators for measuring global progress on adaptation through the global goal on adaptation, and to accelerate the development and implementation of national adaptation plans.
5. Scaling up finance for the transition
Building on the Baku to Belém road map, we will work with others to chart a pathway towards the at least $1.3 trillion by 2035 called for at COP29. We will continue to push for reform of the financial system. We will harness the UK’s position as the green finance capital of the world to unlock investment in clean energy, nature and resilience.
We will continue to deploy our own international climate finance initiative to accelerate the transition and support others, and we will meet our commitment to provide £11.6 billion by April 2026 and to triple our spending on adaptation by 2025 from 2019 levels.
COP30 will be judged on whether the world can work together on the greatest long-term challenge we face. I will join the Prime Minister and the Prince of Wales at the world leaders summit in Belém, and lead the UK’s delegation during the negotiations, supported by the Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds North West (Katie White), and the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry East (Mary Creagh). We will provide an update to the House once negotiations conclude.
[HCWS1018]
Hurricane Melissa: UK Response
(1 day, 13 hours ago)
Written StatementsRead Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Chris Elmore)
I am writing to update the House on the impact of Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean and the action the Government are taking in response.
Hurricane Melissa has caused severe flooding, landslides and infrastructure damage across Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba, and also impacted parts of Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. The UK overseas territories of the Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands and Bermuda reported low to minimal damage. Over 5.5 million people have been affected across the region. At least 65 deaths have been reported—actual numbers may well be higher.
Hurricane Melissa is the strongest ever storm to make landfall in Jamaica, where it hit the southwestern part of the country on 28 October as a category 5 hurricane.
At least 32 deaths are now reported, and the number may yet rise. Some 25,000 people have been displaced. All western parishes have suffered significant damage, and over half the country remains without power, internet or mobile connectivity, with many roads blocked and water systems affected. All British high commission staff and dependants on platform remain safe and accounted for, and I pay tribute to the dedicated work they have done in recent days in the most difficult circumstances. In Haiti, assessments and relief efforts continue to be frustrated by damaged or impassable roads and bridges. Priority needs include shelter materials, food, water and hygiene supplies, medical support, and fuel. In Cuba, infrastructure and services are likely to be impacted for some time, including the national power grid, which is already under severe pressure.
The Foreign Secretary has kept in close contact with the Jamaican Foreign Minister throughout this crisis to offer UK support and solidarity. The Foreign Secretary, Minister Doughty and I have also kept in close touch with the Governments of Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba, the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Bermuda.
Our efforts have involved close co-ordination between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and colleagues in the Ministry of Defence, Home Office, Met Office and Department for Transport.
On 26 October, a UK military team pre-deployed to the Turks and Caicos Islands to support disaster management preparations and response. After Melissa passed, HMS Trent also deployed to the Turks and Caicos Islands to provide additional support and assist with local recovery efforts. As always, the UK stands ready to assist the UK overseas territories as required.
Given the UK’s strong links with Jamaica, many thousands of British nationals and UK residents were there during the storm.
Our consular operation organised an evacuation flight that arrived in the UK on Sunday 2 November with just over 100 passengers. These British nationals and their close family had been unable to make arrangements to leave Jamaica through commercial means. We estimate that around 1,600 British nationals have returned to the UK through commercial airlines and tour operators. Our consular services have been available on a round-the-clock basis and have answered over 700 phone or email inquiries to date. We are updating travel advice regularly to reflect the situation as it evolves. We created a portal—Register Your Presence—where British nationals in Jamaica have been able to provide their details and receive the latest updates. We will continue to provide consular support to British nationals still in-country and direct those wanting to get home to the available commercial flights.
The UK is a long-standing champion of prearranged finance and our support has been instrumental in helping Jamaica set up a sophisticated prearranged finance framework with a reported maximum of $1.6 billion available to respond to disasters through various financial instruments, including anticipatory and contingent finance, insurance, and a catastrophe bond. We were a founding donor to the Caribbean regional risk pool CCRIF in 2007. As publicly announced by the CCRIF, Jamaica will receive around $71 million from hurricane insurance within 14 days.
In anticipation of Hurricane Melissa, UK-funded financing mechanisms such as the Red Cross Disaster Risk Emergency Fund and UN Central Emergency Response Fund have provided around $8 million to help vulnerable communities in Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti. The World Food Programme in Haiti also provided anticipatory cash transfers to 9,400 households in high-risk areas ahead of Hurricane Melissa’s landfall. Some $4 million in Central Emergency Response Fund allocations, to which the UK contributes, were made to each of Haiti, Cuba and Jamaica.
The UK Government have themselves mobilised £7.5 million in emergency funding, in addition to expert deployments to support the response. This includes £1 million to the Red Cross appeal and £1 million to the UN World Food Programme. The UK overseas territories are also sending support, for example the Cayman Islands Government have publicly pledged $1.2 million to Jamaica.
These efforts aim to meet urgent needs, reinforce national co-ordination, and support recovery across Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.
To date, 2,800 emergency shelter kits and 1,728 solar lanterns have been delivered, supporting 14,000 people. A consignment of 1,104 hygiene kits is due to arrive in Montego Bay on 4 November. UK supply chain teams are continuing to scope further items, in co-ordination with the Government of Jamaica and regional partners.
Seven UK humanitarian experts are currently in Jamaica to assess needs and speed up delivery of aid. These include a humanitarian adviser, logistician, and humanitarian affairs officer, who are working to support the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management and UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The UK stands ready to support further deployment of humanitarian experts into UN agencies via the stand-by partnerships mechanism In addition, we are responding to a request from the Government of Jamaica to deploy HMS Trent to assist with the relief effort. HMS Trent arrived off the coast of Jamaica today, having been pre-positioned in the region as part of the UK’s permanent/ongoing presence in the region. Royal Engineers will be going ashore to help assess and repair key infrastructure, in co-ordination with Jamaican authorities. Should any Members’ constituents wish to assist, the most effective way to help is by donating cash through trusted organisations. There are several trusted charities and organisations providing humanitarian relief on the ground in Jamaica. Here are links to two options for donations. The UK Government will match public donations to the Red Cross appeal with up to £1 million.
Donate to the Government of Jamaica’s emergency appeal: https://supportjamaica.gov.jm/
Donate to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Societies appeal in support of Jamaica: https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/hurricane-melissa-emergency
The UK shares a deep and enduring relationship with communities across the Caribbean, and that bond has become even more important in this time of crisis. We are committed to standing alongside Jamaica and the region as it recovers and rebuilds. We will keep the House updated.
[HCWS1017]
Pandemic Preparedness: Exercise PEGASUS
(1 day, 13 hours ago)
Written StatementsRead Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Ashley Dalton)
Exercise Pegasus, the Tier T pandemic preparedness exercise led by the Department of Health and Social Care with the UK Health Security Agency, will conclude live participation on 5 November 2025.
Exercise Pegasus has been the largest simulation of a pandemic in UK history, involving every Government Department, the devolved governments, representation from arm’s length bodies, local resilience fora, and the engagement of businesses, academics, and external stakeholders.
Across three core exercise days, held on 18 September, 9 October and 30 October, participants were challenged to respond across the key phases of a pandemic—emergence, containment and mitigation.
Exercise Pegasus was based on a novel enterovirus originating from a fictional island. Enteroviruses are a group of viruses that usually cause mild illnesses but can lead to serious conditions such as meningitis or acute flaccid paralysis. While the exercise used a single disease to drive the scenario, learning will be applicable across a range of diseases and modes of transmission. The Government continue to plan and prepare for a range of pandemic and emerging infectious disease scenarios.
Although live participation in Exercise Pegasus has now concluded, critical work continues. A fourth phase—recovery—is planned to be exercised in 2026. Findings will be published as part of the Government’s commitment to transparency.
[HCWS1015]