MPs Warn Poor Military Housing Conditions Could Lead to Personnel Departures

Members of Parliament are cautioning that inadequate living conditions, specifically damp and mould, may lead to an increased departure of personnel from the armed forces if no remedial actions are taken. The Commons defence committee has determined that two-thirds of residences designated for service families require “extensive refurbishment or rebuilding” to align with contemporary standards. This cross-party committee has expressed that it is “not confident” sufficient funding will be allocated to address this problem. Responding to the report, a Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson informed the BBC that the document “lays bare the dire state of service accommodation this government inherited and is determined to fix.” The BBC had previously highlighted issues of military families residing in damp and mouldy environments two years prior. At that time, the MoD stated its collaboration with contractors to enhance services. However, the report published on Wednesday indicated that these issues “still exist.” The report stated, “It is shocking that until a policy change in 2022, it was considered acceptable to house families in properties known to have damp and mould”. In July 2023, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), tasked with the upkeep and maintenance of military housing, received £400m to address these concerns over the subsequent two years. Nevertheless, the report noted that “outstanding problems” persist throughout the estate, which the DIO “must resolve.” In written testimony submitted to the committee, an individual recounted having their damp problem “surveyed (multiple times)”. They received a “standard package” for remediation, which they asserted was “largely reported as being unfit for purpose.” The individual commented, “This one size fits all methodology wastes money and does not get to the root of the problem.” The DIO informed the committee that it had observed “positive results” from work packages implemented to resolve damp and mould issues in “over 80% of cases.” The committee recommended that comprehensive statistics detailing the number of affected properties be released by June next year and subsequently updated annually. Furthermore, the report drew attention to difficulties within single-living accommodation. It specified “issues such as a lack of hot water for months in winter, heating failure, flooding, damp, rat infestations and inadequate facilities for washing and cooking.” The report also stated that “Ageing accommodation blocks often cannot meet modern living requirements and standards,” which “is having an adverse effect on recruitment and retention.” According to the report, 40% of individuals residing in single-living accommodation indicated that their living experience had “increased their intention to leave the armed forces,” an increase from 34% in 2022. A written submission to the committee from one individual described “broken ceiling panels, outdated bathrooms and washing facilities, furniture and fittings that are over 40 years old.” This, they commented, “does not represent a modern fighting force.” Despite these findings, the committee expressed that it was “not confident” adequate funds would be allocated to rectify the identified problems. The MoD has conceded that existing funding levels are inadequate to elevate all service accommodation to acceptable, modern standards, and that “it is investment that ultimately will lead to the change.” Nevertheless, the committee added, “in the current economic climate, and with so many competing pressures on public funds, we are not confident that the sustained investment required will be forthcoming in future Defence budgets.” The report primarily reflects conditions as of May, during the tenure of the previous Conservative government, with minimal to no evidence gathered under the present Labour government. In a statement, a Ministry of Defence spokesperson affirmed: “We are delivering our Plan for Change by renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve, and we are working hard to improve the quality of housing for our personnel and their families – including developing new standards for service accommodation.” They further stated, “We are committed to listening to our people and are establishing an Armed Forces Commissioner to act as a strong, independent champion for personnel and their families to improve service life.” Tan Dhesi, the Labour chair of the Defence Committee, declared that “it is simply not acceptable to expect those who fight for their country to live in housing with serious damp and mould – conditions that pose a danger to their and their families’ health.” He emphasized, “It is clear that many of these problems cannot be solved without major investment.” Dhesi concluded, “However difficult public finances might be, the Ministry of Defence and Treasury need to find a way to work together to make sure that all Service housing on offer genuinely meets a decent standard.”