Birmingham, UK: Labour MP Preet Kaur Gill has praised the government’s decisive steps to restore dignity and decency to Britain’s armed forces housing, calling the Defence Housing Strategy “the biggest renewal of military housing in over half a century.”
Highlighting the contribution of service personnel, Gill said, “The men and women who serve in our military represent the best of Britain. The very least they deserve is a safe and decent home.”
Gill criticized the legacy of neglect left by previous administrations, noting that for over 14 years, armed forces families in the West Midlands and beyond suffered due to underinvestment. She pointed out that the roots of the crisis go back nearly three decades to 1996, when John Major’s Conservative government sold off military housing in what she called “one of the worst privatisation deals imaginable.”
The decision to sell armed forces married quarters and rent them back at taxpayers’ expense has cost the nation dearly. By the time the current government came to power last year, rental payments had soared to £600,000 a day, while many homes were left in disrepair.
“In that broken system, private investors cashed in while service families lost out,” Gill stated.
After just six months in office, the new government took action, announcing a landmark buy-back of 36,000 homes — bringing forces’ family housing back into public ownership.
This week, Defence Minister Al Carns MP launched the next phase — the Defence Housing Strategy — aimed at transforming living conditions for military families. The plan includes the upgrading of 40,000 military homes, with over 2,500 homes in the West Midlands set to benefit.
A new Defence Housing Service will oversee management with a “forces first” approach, ensuring servicemen and women receive priority and proper support. Additionally, surplus Defence land will be used to build over 100,000 new homes for veterans, military, and civilian families — a move expected to boost national housing supply.
Gill added that these initiatives demonstrate the government’s commitment not only to Britain’s defence but also to the welfare of those who serve. “Our government is delivering for defence and for our Armed Forces,” she said. “We are increasing defence spending and using that money to back the brave service men and women who keep our nation safe.”