PMQs: Armed forces homes only to be repaired in emergencies as PM refuses to stump up extra cash

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

The Prime Minister today refused to commit extra cash for repairs for armed forces families homes despite the Head of Accomodation for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation revealing that military families could only expect repairs to their home in emergencies. 

The lack of money for repairs was revealed by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s new Head of Accommodation in her first update to military families this month.

Air Commodore Leah Griffin assured families that she was working to challenge the budget settlement but said non-urgent repairs and home improvements were “not currently affordable”.

Air Commodore Griffin also said that she was having to “make the case for investing in Service family housing” due to finances in the DIO that are “more challenging than ever”.

It comes as serving personnel and their families are having important requests for home repairs and upgrades denied as a lack of funding means only emergency work is being approved.

This is despite long-running problems that have seen many families forced to live in damp, cold and mouldy accommodation and troops put up in shipping style containers at Tern Hill Barracks.

Lib Dem MP Helen Morgan challenged Rishi Sunak over his commitment to the armed forces today at PMQs after this shocking admission. In response, the Prime Minister refused to commit to any additional funding to address this situation. 

The North Shropshire MP has had constituents report to her that their military housing has experienced horror stories ranging from exploding boilers to collapsing roofs. In one case, a constituent recently required alterations to their shower to access it after major surgery but was told this was not possible due to the lack of budget for housing repairs. The problem was only fixed when Helen became involved.

The news undermines the Prime Minister’s claims to be prioritising defence and the Government’s recent commitment to bringing all military accommodation up to the Decent Homes Standard – a pledge that came in response to a proposed law change from Helen Morgan who has been a long-time campaigner on this issue.

In response to the Prime Minister’s answer, Liberal Democrat MP for North Shropshire Helen Morgan MP said:

“Rishi Sunak talks a big game about defence but he isn’t even prepared to guarantee service families decent quality homes to live in.

“Military morale is lower than ever because those who serve our country have been subject to years of neglect by this Conservative government.

“Service people put their lives on the line to keep us and our allies safe. The least they should get in return is a clean, warm and safe home.

“Our armed forces deserve a Government that takes their needs seriously and backs up its words with real actions.

“That means upgrading military housing and removing repair contracts from companies that don’t do their job.

“We used to talk about building homes fit for heroes - and that’s the very least we can deliver.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

• The Government promised to bring military accommodation up to the Decent Homes Standard in response to Helen Morgan’s amendment to the Renters Reform Bill. You can read Jacob Young’s speech acknowledging this here. 

• Liberal Democrats have called for maintenance contracts for Ministry of Defence housing to be rigorously reviewed and for a minimum quality standard to be introduced for Single Living Accommodation.

• The full message from DIO Head of Accommodation, Air Commodore Leah Griffin, was published in Families First, the DIO’s monthly newsletter to families living in Service Family Accommodation. It can be read here.

North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan has two military bases in her constituency including RAF Shawbury, the home of No.1 Flying Training School and the Defence College of Air and Space Operations.

While the training offered at Shawbury may be world class, much of the accommodation is not and Helen has heard horror stories ranging from exploding boilers to collapsing roofs and repeat missed appointments from contractors.

One constituent recently required alterations to their shower to access it after major surgery but was told this was not possible due to the lack of budget for housing repairs. The problem was only fixed when the MP became involved.