£100m boost for Welsh military homes
New funding will support urgent repairs and generational renewal of military housing across the UK, including thousands of families in Wales
The UK Government has announced it'll be investing in improving military accommodation across Wales.
Around 800 homes are going to be repaired and renovated - to bring them up to standard.
The £100m is part of £7 billion being invested UK-wide in military accommodation, with this funding being pledged as part of an additional £1.5bn earmarked in the upcoming Strategic Defence Review.
'Our Armed Forces personnel make extraordinary sacrifices to serve our country'
Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said: “Our Armed Forces personnel make extraordinary sacrifices to serve our country.
“For too long, many military families have lived in sub-standard homes, but this government is taking decisive action to fix the dire state of military accommodation and ensure that our heroes and their loved ones live in the homes they deserve.
“Our government is determined to end the hollowing out of our Armed Forces. We are investing and acting fast, to fix forces housing and renew the nation’s contract with those who serve.”
The delivery of the Government’s new Consumer Charter will see immediate investment in urgent renovation of 1,000 homes in most need of repair.
The Charter will also see basic consumer rights rapidly introduced for forces families, including essential property information and higher move-in standards, more reliable repairs, a named housing officer for every family, and access to a robust complaints system – helping to deliver homes fit for our heroes.
'A transformational investment'
Minister for Defence People and Veterans Al Carns said: "After years of unacceptable living conditions our service personnel had to endure, we are delivering a transformational investment into military homes that puts our service families first.
“This additional funding will ensure that those who protect our nation can live in homes they can be proud of.
“This government promised better housing for our military families across the United Kingdom, and we are committed to delivering on that promise."
The SDR says that the MOD should improve the overall standard of military accommodation, including prioritising sites that are in most urgent need of repair.
Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens said: “The Armed Forces make a valued and vital contribution to Wales and our security.
“I warmly welcome this action to address the urgent repairs and facilitate the development of new housing for service families across Wales. Our 800 forces family homes will benefit from a much-needed investment uplift, as part of an overall £7bn in funding this parliament.
“Through initiatives such as the Reducing Veterans Homelessness programme and the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner for Wales, we continue to ensure that those who have served receive the support and recognition they deserve. This is a UK Government delivering for veterans and their families.”