The Government has revealed that armed forces personnel and veterans will have priority access to housing developments on Ministry of Defence land. A new initiative called ‘Forces First’ will be introduced by Defence Secretary John Healey at the Labour Party Conference, aiming to build up to 100,000 properties on repurposed defence sites.
Addressing the poor housing conditions faced by military personnel and their families, Healey highlighted the impact on morale and recruitment. He emphasized the need for better-quality homes and announced plans to invest £1.5 billion by 2029 to improve military housing standards.
Under the Labour Party’s vision, service members and veterans will have increased opportunities for homeownership, with a focus on providing high-quality, affordable housing options. The Government’s commitment to revamping military housing comes as figures reveal a significant decline in recruitment, with more personnel leaving than joining the regular forces in recent years.
During his speech in Liverpool, Healey criticized the previous government for neglecting Armed Forces housing, leading to a crisis in recruitment and retention. He emphasized the ongoing efforts to enhance housing conditions and accelerate the construction of new homes on Defence land for both service members and civilian families nationwide.
Additionally, Healey visited the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, where he announced a substantial warship export deal with Norway worth £10 billion. This agreement will support hundreds of jobs in Merseyside and contribute significantly to the local economy. The Defence Secretary highlighted the positive impact of such deals on job creation and economic growth, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships in the defense industry.