Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Maria Eagle and Alison Hume

Monday 19th May 2025 Commons Chamber

[Alison Hume (Scarborough and Whitby) (Lab)]

11. What steps he is taking to improve armed forces housing for military families.

[The Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry (Maria Eagle)]

We are delivering for defence by putting people at the heart of our defence plans. We have secured a deal to buy back 36,000 military homes to improve housing for forces families and save taxpayers £600,000 a day in rent. Our new consumer charter means that families will have a named housing officer, improved repairs and a clearer, shorter complaints process. Our forthcoming defence housing strategy will set out plans to undertake a generational review of our properties.

[Alison Hume]

In December, the Defence Committee found that two thirds of service family homes

“need extensive refurbishment or rebuilding”

to meet modern standards. We know that poor-quality housing impacts children’s ability to learn and to attend school, as well as their physical health. What steps are the Government taking to ensure that the 3,500 children from service families who attend school in North Yorkshire live in adequate accommodation?

[Maria Eagle]

I agree with my hon. Friend’s analysis of the impact of poor housing. We have regained control of 2,793 of the 3,221 service family accommodation units in Yorkshire and Humber previously owned by Annington, after a landmark deal earlier this year. As well as saving taxpayers rent that can be recycled into improvements, that enables us to plan a once-in-a-generation improvement of service family homes. The detailed plans will be set out in the defence housing strategy later this year.