Sir Keir has pledged to bring back 36,000 military homes into public ownership and build more — Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to build even more military homes after bring back 36,000 into public ownership (Picture: MOD)

Tri-Service

Exclusive: A decent home is the least our Armed Forces deserve, insists Starmer

A debt of gratitude is owed to the servicemen and women who keep our country safe – and a decent home is the least they deserve, the Prime Minister has insisted.

Sir Keir Starmer made the comments to BFBS Forces News after the Government announced a new initiative to improve living conditions for families in military housing.

"Meeting our Armed Forces, whether it's welcoming submariners home after a long deployment or visiting our troops training Ukrainian forces, is one of the greatest privileges of being Prime Minister," he said.

"I am always humbled, not just by their pride in serving our nation, but the sacrifices they make to do so. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their service on the frontlines of our security and defence.

"But words alone aren't enough. Our servicemen and women – and their families – deserve to be treated as the heroes they are.

"So it's absolutely shocking that families in military homes are expected to put up with rotten living conditions.

"When people who are literally putting their lives on the line for our country aren't treated with the respect they deserve at home, that's demoralising. It makes people feel like their service isn't valued."

Personnel from all three services work to defend the UK wherever they are serving, and the Prime Minister says the nation's debt of gratitude must be paid in more than words (Picture: MOD)

Sir Keir said the Government recognises and respects military personnel, which was reflected in what he pointed out was the largest pay rise for 20 years for the Armed Forces.

He added: "And we believe that a decent home is the least they deserve. So we are bringing back 36,000 military homes into public ownership, ending the payment of £600,000 of taxpayer money each day to a private company.

"It's why we are putting veterans at risk of homelessness at the front of the queue for social housing.

"But we need to go further and faster to deliver homes fit for heroes. So we're announcing a new Consumer Charter. That means higher standards for housing, better repairs and renovations, and a named housing officer for every family."

Watch: Military housing: Govt says it's time to stop the rot

Housing on surplus land

Sir Keir said the Government was also "turbocharging" the development of surplus military land.

"That will create more opportunities to build housing for Armed Forces families," he explained.

"This is all part of a wider rapid Defence Housing Strategy which we're already working on at pace to improve the standard of service family homes. Building good homes is at the heart of this Government's Plan for Change.

"We'll deliver security for the people who are keeping our country safe. We'll treat our military with the respect they deserve.

"And we'll make sure military families have a home they're proud to live in, in a country they're proud to serve."