Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support his Department gives to married service personnel who move post and location frequently.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has a well-developed process to fully support Service personnel and their families, who can often be required to move location. The Services aim to give as much warning as possible, ideally six months before the impending move. When notice of a move is given, this triggers a series of administrative functions and the Service personnel will apply for Service Family Accommodation (SFA) at the new location. If possible, this will be allocated 56 days before the move to allow sufficient time for registration with schools, health providers and other capabilities within the community.

The move from the current location to the new one is funded and the MOD provides a package of support, which includes leave, to allow families to settle into and explore their new home, and a financial package that compensates for the disturbance. Advice and support can be sought from many areas including the information exchange centres - HIVEs, the unit welfare staff and the Chain of Command.