Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton and Liz McInnes

Monday 13th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Liz McInnes (Heywood and Middleton) (Lab)]

1. What steps his Department is taking to improve standards in service family accommodation.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mark Lancaster)]

The provision of quality accommodation is at the heart of the armed forces covenant. Around 94% of UK service family accommodation is at decent homes standard or above. Only service family accommodation at those standards will be allocated to new occupants. Since April 2016, around 14,500 kitchens, bathrooms, roofs, doors and windows, and some 10,000 new boilers, have been installed.

[Liz McInnes]

I thank the Minister for that response, but the armed forces continuous attitude survey in 2016 showed a significant drop in satisfaction among those living in service family accommodation—there was a decrease of seven percentage points, to just 50%. Can he assure the House that a further drop in satisfaction will lead to urgent action by the Department?

[Mark Lancaster]

I can, but equally I am confident that, after the Secretary of State’s intervention last year with CarillionAmey and the introduction of the get well plan, we have seen a significant improvement in satisfaction. That might not yet have filtered down into the survey, but recent stats show that the satisfaction rate on the service from CarillionAmey has risen from 40% to 61%. We take this matter very seriously, which is why I am keeping a close eye on it and am determined that the services standard should continue to improve.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton and Liz McInnes

Monday 23rd November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mark Lancaster]

The MOD is determined to ensure that veterans with mental health issues are given appropriate support. NHS England spends £1.8 million a year on mental health services for veterans, including the provision of 10 veterans mental health teams. Up to a further £18 million is funding the Combat Stress six-week intensive post-traumatic stress disorder programme. Subject to the forthcoming spending review, a further £8.4 million of Government funding will be provided over the next five years.

[Liz McInnes (Heywood and Middleton) (Lab)]

21. What conversations have taken place with the Chancellor to discuss the impact of tax credit cuts on military families, including the families of veterans?

[Mark Lancaster]

I am sure that the issue has been discussed, and that it will be addressed later this week when the Chancellor makes his announcement.