Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 37 of the report by the Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing entitled Homes unfit for heroes: The poor condition of armed forces accommodation and what needs to change, published in April 2024, whether he plans to introduce a preventative maintenance regime.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements.

The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention.

The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report.

In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.