Oral Answers to Questions

Judith Cummins Excerpts

Monday 23rd April 2018 Commons Chamber

[Guto Bebb]

I agree entirely with my hon. Friend. The Type 26 presents us with an important opportunity for partnership working with Australia, Canada and perhaps New Zealand. The campaign in Australia has been strong, positive and upbeat, and I sincerely hope it will be successful.

[Judith Cummins (Bradford South) (Lab)]

7. What recent steps his Department has taken to develop the future accommodation model.

[Matthew Pennycook (Greenwich and Woolwich) (Lab)]

23. What recent steps his Department has taken to develop the future accommodation model.

[Judith Cummins]

There are serious problems in the private rented sector surrounding affordability, quality and security of tenure. Does the Minister share my concern that splitting our forces communities by pushing service families into the private rented sector risks reducing their quality of accommodation and life, as well as impacting on retention and recruitment rates?

[Mr Ellwood]

I must correct the hon. Lady: nobody will be forced to do anything, but the option will be available to them. We are providing more choice for our armed forces personnel, who can choose to stay on the base, rent or indeed get on the housing ladder and purchase a property. Of course, house prices vary up and down the country, so we need to make sure that there is a process to ensure a subsidised capability so that nobody is left out of pocket. However, there is a choice; nobody will be forced into any of this accommodation.