Exclusive: Housing not good enough, admits PM as he thanks Paras for service at dangerous time
The Prime Minister has told Forces News he is aware there have been "many occasions when the situation has simply been not good enough" regarding the standards of service accommodation.
Rishi Sunak was inspecting Parachute Regiment soldiers from Falklands Platoon as they passed out at Infantry Training Centre Catterick in North Yorkshire.
"It's not right," he said. "Our Armed Forces personnel and their families deserve to have accommodation that's fit for purpose.
"Overall, last figures I saw show that 96% of service family accommodation is meeting those standards, but it's obviously not 100% – and we need to make sure that it is."
Mr Sunak spoke to the new paratroopers, telling them: "You have stepped forward to serve your country at a dangerous time. War has returned to Europe. Threats are rising around the world.
"So your service is more meaningful than ever and I'm determined that the country should serve you as well as I know that you'll serve us.
"We'll give you the capabilities that you need to fight. We'll have your back throughout."
The PM also told the airborne infanteers they had "done something that few would attempt and fewer still can achieve".
"You have put yourself through the toughest test there is anywhere in the world, and you have passed," he said.
"On behalf of the whole country, I am here to say congratulations. I have nothing but respect and admiration for each and every one of you."
Mr Sunak told the paratroopers and their families, who had gathered for the passing out parade, that he was proud to have Catterick Garrison in his constituency.
He recalled how in 2021 he managed to cross the P Company Trainasium – the famous 60ft high test all paratroopers must complete.
"It's perhaps one of the most scary things I have ever done and it's definitely the most worried that I have ever seen my police protection officers," he told the parade.
"I've had a glimpse, no more than that, but a glimpse of what you have overcome."
The Prime Minister inspected the soldiers with the regiment's Colonel Commandant, Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison, who was attending his last parade after 34 years of service.
Mr Sunak told the young paratroopers: "You couldn't ask for a better archetype of courage and leadership."
He also praised Falklands veterans from the Paras, who watched the parade and whom he met before the event.
The Prime Minister said: "I want to pay sincere tribute to all of them. The nation is in their debt."
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