Improving military housing is a priority, Defence Secretary says

New Defence Secretary Grant Shapps says improving the state of military housing is one of his priorities.

In his first interview with Forces News since being appointed Defence Secretary, Mr Shapps said the military is "nothing if it hasn't got great people in it" and wants to put "an emphasis on things that matter to servicemen and women".

"I used to be Housing Minister and it occurs to me - if the Army were a housing association, it would be one of the biggest landlords in the country," Mr Shapps told Forces News during a visit to Salisbury Plain where he met with British soldiers training Ukrainian troops.

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"There's a lot of service accommodation and we want to make sure our servicemen and women get to enjoy the best kind of accommodation." 

The state of military housing has been a source of controversy for the Ministry of Defence (MOD), with photos and videos being shared on social media showing what appears to be some of the poor conditions in which some personnel have to live.   

Labour last week condemned the Mr Shapps' decision not to allow serving personnel to contribute to an inquiry into service accommodation, with the shadow minister for the Armed Forces accusing the Defence Secretary of "silencing personnel" and "trying to sweep their problems under the rug".

Speaking to Forces News, Mr Shapps also identified retention as an area of focus.

"Improving the quality of life for people who decide to serve this country is a big priority for me as well."

The Defence Secretary, who met with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv earlier this week, took a look at Ukrainians being taking part in the UK-led Operation Interflex training mission during his visit to Wiltshire.

He described the training as "remarkable" and said he discussed the programme with Mr Zelensky while in the Ukraine capital.

Mr Shapps said Russian President Vladimir Putin has "lost control of the war" and that he was confident of replenishing UK stockpiles as British support for Ukraine continues.

"There is just no point in us sitting on kit whilst a country - no further to fly to than say going to a Greek island on holiday in terms of the distance by plane - is overrun.

"We know what happens if you don't stop a tyrant. This was definitely the moment for us to step up and yes, we will make sure we replenish our own supplies."