Housing: Armed Forces

Communities and Local Government written question – answered am ar 14 Mawrth 2013.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Hilary Benn Hilary Benn Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on housing for British forces and their families returning from Germany.

Photo of Mark Prisk Mark Prisk The Minister for Housing

This Department and MOD continue to discuss matters of shared interest including housing for service personnel and their families.

The Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend Mr Hammond, announced on 5 March 2013 the Regular Army Basing Plan and the return of troops from Germany, detailing the Government's intention to invest £1 billion in new and refurbished MOD accommodation.

Service personnel and their families have already been given priority for Government affordable home ownership schemes, including FirstBuy. Additionally, I have recently made changes to legislation to make it easier for service personnel to access social housing, and statutory guidance has been issued to councils on how their allocation schemes can give priority to current or ex-service personnel, for example using local preference criteria or local lettings policies.

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