Concern over homes for the military
RENEWED concerns have been sparked over the condition of military housing in Plymouth amid evidence of widespread dissatisfaction among service families.
A parliamentary report indicates one in three armed forces households in the city think the condition of their homes is 'poor', while nearly a quarter say they are badly maintained.
And more than a third of the families surveyed by the National Audit Office said that the accommodation provided for them by the Ministry of Defence had not been properly cleaned before they moved in.
Plymouth contains much of the region's military accommodation because of its close ties to the armed forces.
Poor quality accommodation has been one of the continuing criticisms levelled at the Government, and is used to back up claims of it breaching its duty of care to troops, known as the military covenant.
The former Army head, Gen Sir Mike Jackson, has previously said some forces accommodation was "frankly shaming".
The Public Accounts Committee also said that many of the 42,000 families using service accommodation have little or no idea what their new home will be like when they move, and called for them to be provided with estate agent-style details, including photos and floor-plans.
And they called on the MoD to cut the proportion of its 50,000 properties in the UK which are standing empty – currently running at 17 per cent, well above the official target of 10 per cent.
Every percentage point cut in empty homes could save the MoD £2 million, said the cross-party group of MPs.
Military accommodation is ranked according to condition where one is the best and four the worst.
While 90 per cent is graded in the top two categories, meeting the Government's decent homes standard, the MPs' report shows that the proportion in the top grade fell from 57 per cent to 35 per cent between 2008 and 2009, while the second tier grew from 37 per cent to 59 per cent.
Committee chairman Edward Leigh said: "The standard of accommodation for the families of our servicemen and women is of continuing concern to this committee."
Over the summer, the Government announced military housing in Plymouth would undergo a makeover as part of a £3 billion improvement programme.
Targets were unveiled to bring homes for military personnel and their families in the city up to scratch.
Over the next decade the Ministry of Defence plans to spend more than £3 billion on new, upgraded and improved accommodation for members of the armed forces, including those living in Plymouth.
By 2020, defence chiefs aim to have all service families living in the highest standard of housing.
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by Sean, Plymouth
Thursday, October 22 2009, 11:33AM
“Martine, if you bothered to read Rob's comment you'd see what he was talking about when he mentioned racism. Try reading MG's comment where it says, "GOD, THEY WANT EVERYTHING." "THEY" being the armed forces. As Rob quite rightly points out, if someone had called one of the ethnic minority groups "THEM" or "THEY" there would be public outcry, but as MG was just talking about the British Armed Forces, then that makes such comments ok. As I see it, the one with the "big, fat chip" on their shoulder, and showing agression is you, Martine. Maybe you should learn to read or learn to keep your mouth shut when commenting on something you obviously know nothing about. Why don't you go back to "hugging trees" or sweeping the streets? Something you should be very good at..... (And "Yes!" I am a serving member of the armed forces!)”
by martine, Plmyouth
Wednesday, October 21 2009, 11:42AM
“Rob i truly dont think you read my comment at all. I agree if places are in such bad condition that people should complain. Have a look again. Yep i did write that!! What the hell are you going on about racist stuff for!!??? People are allowed to have very strong views of the services. I could not care less if yopu were in the services or not just as you dont know if i was. I find you to be aggressive and with a great big fat chip on your shoulder. Maybe learn to control your temper. Did the services make you that way or were you already like that. Go and get a min wage job and dont moan unless of course you wanna join up. That is what you said wasnt it!!??”
by Rob, Plymouth
Wednesday, October 21 2009, 7:33AM
“My Martine, ain't we clever? The standard of some defence housing is way below that of ordinary council houses. Forces tennants do not get to live in these houses for free, they do pay rent, council tax, water rates, utility bills etc. If you were renting sub-standard accomodation, would you not "moan" to your landlord and ask them to sort it out? I think you would...
To someone that is used to living "in the field", in holes in the ground, or in a metal box for 7/8 months, the standard of accomodation may not seem too bad, but as it is the family of the service member, Wife/Husband/Children, that live in the house 24/7, why should they live in sub-standard conditions? Also Martine, I did not say people that earn minimum wage do not work hard. What I did say was that if you are on minimum wage and don't like it, do something about it rather than moan about others that earn more than you. Also M.G's comment "My God they want everything" just about sums up his/her mentality and, unfortunately, that of around 90% of the British population. If MG had said that about one of the "ethnic minority" groups, you would all be up in arms shouting "Racist" and the such, but as he/she was only commenting on the British Armed Forces, then no-one cares. And you accuse me of "double standards" Martine.. Enough said I think...”
by Cleo, plymouth
Tuesday, October 20 2009, 11:32PM
“J.J i realise it must be lonely if a partner or family memeber is in the services but it was not the army that gave us freedom of speech. Sadly we need an army to serve and protect but freedom of speech is not where that came from. It comes from people also fighting wars within society.”
by Martine, plymouth
Tuesday, October 20 2009, 11:28PM
“Rob. Although M.g may have a few comments incorrect, they are correct in saying what makes them any different. You need a spine to join!!?? What on earth has that got to do with anything. So people are allowed to moan about poor conditions of houses but M.G is not allowed to complain about min wage. Double standards i think!! Its the choice of the person to join the army. Total choice. Its not like it used to be where you were forced to join. Its a choice. By all means complain if houses are really that poor but so are lots of houses that people move into that are not in the army and have to spend their own money to make it better. Seems to me a lot of people in the services get lots of money, oh and Rob for your information just because someone earns minimum wage does not mean they are not working hard. Seems to me that your the moron!!”