Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Written Statement of 19 September 2023 on New Accommodation Offer, HCWS1053, how he plans to use the existing defence accommodation estate.

The New Accommodation Offer is designed to meet the requirements of our Service personnel whilst maximising the use of the available existing Defence accommodation estate. Service accommodation at Defence sites will be utilised first before personnel are placed in the private rental sector to ensure best value for money. The Defence Command Paper Refresh, published in July, announced an additional £400 million funding over two years for programmes to address damp and mould and to carry out refurbishment works to homes that we expect to be required as the New Accommodation Offer increases the number of Service personnel entitled to Service Families Accommodation.

The financial support for Service personnel who, under the New Accommodation Offer, are asked to source private rental accommodation, will be varied according to the location where they are assigned.