The Government has announced a new policy that gives priority to armed forces personnel and veterans for housing on Ministry of Defence land. Up to 100,000 properties may be developed on repurposed defence sites, as part of the ‘Forces First’ initiative unveiled by Defence Secretary John Healey at the Labour Party Conference.
Speaking during a visit to a shipyard in Merseyside, Healey highlighted the poor housing conditions faced by military personnel and their families, attributing it to low morale and a recruitment and retention crisis. He emphasized the need for better-quality homes, stating that Labour aims to extend home ownership opportunities to service members and veterans, with a focus on providing top-of-the-range affordable housing options. The Government has committed £1.5 billion by 2029 to upgrade military housing standards.
Addressing delegates in Liverpool, Healey criticized the previous government for neglecting Armed Forces housing, leading to a decline in morale and recruitment. He stated that Labour has initiated efforts to improve housing conditions, with plans to accelerate home construction on Defence land for both service members and civilian families nationwide.
Recent statistics reveal that more personnel left the regular forces than joined under the Tories, with a significant decline in recruitment numbers over the years. Healey made these remarks while visiting the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, where he announced a major warship export deal with Norway that will support hundreds of skilled jobs in Merseyside.
The Ministry of Defence has invested nearly £5 billion in the north-west region, supporting over 20,000 jobs. Healey celebrated the warship export deal with Norway, highlighting the economic benefits and job opportunities it will bring to the region, particularly at the Cammell Laird shipyard. The deal is expected to secure existing jobs and create additional employment opportunities in the future.