'We've all got horror stories': Ex-Army officer and minister urges personnel to report mouldy rooms

A defence minister and former Army officer has urged personnel to report mouldy rooms as she launched a review into Single Living Accommodation (SLA). 

Louise Sandher-Jones is the Minister for Veterans and People. She said everyone has "horror stories" about SLA and described the review as a "once in a generation" chance to improve it.

She announced the review to personnel whilst on a tour of SLA at RAF Brize Norton, as she admitted that more than half of the housing isn’t at the standard needed. 

She told BFBS Forces News: "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to look at how we manage our Single Living Accommodation and actually make it fit for purpose.

"I served in the Army myself – we've all got horror stories from Single Living Accommodation that was not up to scratch. 

"Whether that's the heating not working, whether that is disrepair, whether it's things like mould, it is not acceptable. 

"We know that more than half of our single living accommodation isn't at the standard that we need. So part of this is saying, right, we want to set and ask the very best for our people, and what do we need to deliver that?"

The review will cover the accommodation of around 80,000 personnel living in SLA, both in the UK and overseas, and will be led by an independent panel of experts chaired by Natalie Elphicke Ross, who delivered the Defence Housing Strategy last year. 

Ms Elphicke Ross said: "Our world-class Armed Forces need top-quality accommodation to support their vital work. This review will consider how we can boost barracks and improve overseas housing to improve the conditions, experience and retention of serving personnel."

It will look at the whole offer of SLA and examine various factors, from the need for air conditioning in hot climates, to the size and type of accommodation offered. The MOD is urging personnel to engage with the review to let it be known what they want.

Armed Forces advocate and actor Antony Cotton was also at the launch. He told BFBS Forces News: "The review is so essential because it's going to have to consider what people's needs are."

When asked if single personnel should be entitled to live in a house, he said: "I think in the modern day, if you're in your mid 30s and you don't want to live in a block with other people, I think you should have the option."

With so much SLA not up to standard, what about those living in poor conditions right now, especially those with mould in their rooms? 

Ms Sandher-Jones said: "I would say to anybody who's in a room where it's got that mould, get after it, make sure that we are pushing our contractors to deliver. 

"Flag these issues, where issues are getting bad, where the system is failing, please get these issues flagged to the centre. I know up and down the military chain of command, I know in my office – for me personally – this is something I don't find acceptable."

The review is expected to report in two phases. The MOD says that the UK-based review of accommodation is due by summer 2026, followed by overseas sites by the end of the year.