Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 January 2026 to Question 103618, when the Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme placement details will be finalised.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) on 16 January 2026, to Question 104236.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-08/104236
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled Armed forces to launch ‘Gap Year’ scheme for young people to bolster skills and leadership, published on 27 December 2025, how many positions will be available in (a) Scotland and (b) Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘gap year’) is a response to the Strategic Defence Review 2025’s recommendation that Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds; options included offering shorter commitments that appeal to more of society.
We anticipate that Foundation Year placements will be allocated to Defence locations based on the roles participants conduct. These details have not yet been finalised. There will be flexibility for the Services to provide the most appropriate employment, experiences and skills that offer most value to both participants and Defence.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what contracts Elbit Systems has with the Government; and which defence contracts it is being considered for.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence is unable to confirm what contracts Elbit Systems has with wider Government. It would also not be appropriate to comment on any future ongoing competitions.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to purchase new housing stock in communities where Ministry of Defence housing stock is unused.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
On 3 November 2025, we announced our Defence Housing Strategy (DHS). It’s the most significant change for Armed Forces housing in more than 50 years and kickstarts one of Britain’s most ambitious building programmes in decades – delivering new homes for military and civilian families and driving economic growth.
As part of the DHS, a new demand and supply forecasting model will ensure that the future housing needs of the Armed Forces are more accurately planned for, enabling us to deliver housing in the right places to support military operations and reducing the number of homes that lie empty.
This model, together with improvements in data management on the condition and status of our homes and a comprehensive examination of demand, supply and estate laydown by area, will ensure that housing is provided in the locations it is required and that the number of empty homes is reduced.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take take steps to ensure effective allocation of Ministry of Defence housing stock.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Housing Strategy will deliver a new demand and supply forecasting model that will ensure the future needs of the Armed Forces are more accurately planned for, enabling us to deliver housing in the right places to support military operations and reducing the number of homes that lie empty.
Currently around 70% of total Defence homes are occupied by Service personnel. Going forward, over 90% of Defence homes will be required for Service personnel. This will include many Serving families who will be able to access family housing on a widened eligibility basis over time. Steps to widen access cannot be taken sufficiently quickly or cost-effectively without focusing Defence family homes on core occupants.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the total number of occupied and unoccupied Ministry of Defence homes in Moray.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
There are currently 911 Ministry of Defence Service Family Accommodation properties in Moray.
752 of these properties are occupied and 159 properties are unoccupied.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average time is for Ministry of Defence housing stock to be let (a) in the UK, (b) in Scotland and (c) Moray.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
This information is not held centrally. In order to answer the hon. Member's Question, the Ministry of Defence's Industry Partner would be required to review every record, which could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the average number of Ministry of Defence housing stock in Scotland.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
As of 27 November 2025, there are 3,078 Ministry of Defence Service Family Accommodation properties in Scotland.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of unoccupied MoD housing stock on local communities.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
No assessment has been made regarding the impact of unoccupied Ministry of Defence (MOD) housing on local communities. However, the MOD remains committed to fostering strong relationships with these communities.
We maintain a certain number of defence housing as vacant to allow for personnel to be rotated, and others are empty awaiting upgrade, repair or disposal. We are aware that communities purge homes that are lived in - whatever their type - and our new housing offer to our people will see modernisation of more defence homes and expanded eligibility meaning more defence homes being used.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Ministry of Defence homes in Scotland have been unoccupied for (a) up to 3 months, (b) up to 6 months and (c) over a year.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The table below provides details on the number of Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties in Scotland that were occupied or void during the requested time periods.
At of 27 November 2025:
Time Period | Unoccupied SFA in Scotland |
(a) up to three months | 156 |
(b) between three and six months | 90 |
(c) between six and twelve months | 98 |
(d) over twelve months | 357 |
To effectively manage the SFA across the estate, the MOD maintains a management margin. This means that a percentage of the Department’s housing stock must remain void (unoccupied) to allow for periods between occupants moving out and new occupants moving in, to facilitate essential maintenance and repair, and to ensure that the Armed Forces have the flexibility to relocate units and individuals across the country as operational requirements dictate.
As of 27 November 2025, there are 3,078 SFA properties in Scotland, of these 2,377 are let and 701 are void (unoccupied).