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Written Question
Armed Forces: Housing
Thursday 26th February 2026

Asked by: Alex Baker (Labour - Aldershot)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans the Ministry of Defence has in place to improve the standard of Single Living Accommodation for military personnel, and how these plans align with the Government's commitment to enhancing the living conditions for service members in line with current operational and welfare needs.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises that high‑quality Single Living Accommodation (SLA) is essential to the welfare, retention and operational readiness of our Armed Forces personnel.

The SLA and Overseas Accommodation Review launched earlier this year is focused on identifying recommendations to enhance SLA, which will inform future investments.

All Front-Line Commands have prioritised SLA condition, reinforced by proactive senior leadership engagement, and have plans to eliminate their worst accommodation. Improving the standard of SLA remains a key priority.

The MOD has provided new and refurbished single rooms using a common design and modular off-site construction aiming to reduce build-times and deliver value for money. Their energy-efficient designs minimise operational energy consumption and running costs as well as enhancing the lived experience and thermal comfort.

Division Vote (Commons)
24 Feb 2026 - Online Harm: Child Protection - View Vote Context
Alex Baker (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 272 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 69 Noes - 279
Division Vote (Commons)
11 Feb 2026 - Local Government Finance - View Vote Context
Alex Baker (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 272 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 277 Noes - 143
Division Vote (Commons)
11 Feb 2026 - Local Government Finance - View Vote Context
Alex Baker (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 272 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 279 Noes - 90
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 09 Feb 2026
Oral Answers to Questions

"In Aldershot and Farnborough, we have a brilliant police team, but recruitment of officers is difficult because of the pay difference along the Hampshire-Surrey border. Officers can earn more by working just a few miles away, leaving our local police team understaffed and overstretched. What steps is the Secretary of …..."
Alex Baker - View Speech

View all Alex Baker (Lab - Aldershot) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Written Question
Neighbourhood Policing: Recruitment
Monday 9th February 2026

Asked by: Alex Baker (Labour - Aldershot)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help increase levels of recruitment of neighbourhood police officers.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is committed to rebuilding neighbourhood policing and restoring the vital link between police forces and the communities they serve.

By the end of this Parliament there will be 13,000 additional neighbourhood policing personnel across England and Wales. This year we have provided £200m to support forces to deliver 3,000 additional neighbourhood officers by March 2026. We are on track, with forces having already delivered almost 2,400 additional neighbourhood officers in just 6 months.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 04 Feb 2026
Oral Answers to Questions

"Q6. This year in Aldershot and Farnborough, we are looking forward to hosting the national celebrations for Armed Forces Day in the home of the British Army. Businesses in my community welcome this Government’s record investment in defence in the years ahead, but our banks still struggle to lend to …..."
Alex Baker - View Speech

View all Alex Baker (Lab - Aldershot) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Division Vote (Commons)
4 Feb 2026 - Climate Change - View Vote Context
Alex Baker (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 316 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 392 Noes - 116
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 02 Feb 2026
Oral Answers to Questions

"Our servicewomen are currently not as well protected by in-service body armour, which is designed around male body types, providing inadequate ballistic protection. With testing of female body armour now under way, will the Minister commend the work of NP Aerospace in improving women’s safety, and commit the MOD to …..."
Alex Baker - View Speech

View all Alex Baker (Lab - Aldershot) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 02 Feb 2026
China and Japan

"I welcome the Prime Minister’s leadership on his trip, including his words in Japan about the value of the global combat air programme, which is not only strategically important for global security and autonomy, but important for businesses that have grown out of my constituency, including BAE Systems and QinetiQ. …..."
Alex Baker - View Speech

View all Alex Baker (Lab - Aldershot) contributions to the debate on: China and Japan