Personnel wanting to leave due to Single Living Accommodation is on the rise

The number of service personnel saying their experience of Single Living Accommodation increases their intention to leave the Armed Forces has risen over the past two years, according to a survey.

Single Living Accommodation (SLA) is normally provided in accommodation blocks inside military bases.

SLA is available to single and unaccompanied personnel and is used either as a permanent home or provided on an ad hoc basis for those whose main home is elsewhere.

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Some 7,250 people took part in the 2024 survey, a response rate of just 3.4%.

Of those who took part, 40% said that their experience of SLA increased their intention to leave the Armed Forces, a rise from 34% in 2022.

However, 11% said their experience of SLA increased their intention to stay in the Armed Forces, while 41% said it had no impact.

Bathrooms and beds

The survey revealed that most people would like the provision of an en suite bathroom, an increase of 22% since 2022.

They would also like enhanced cooking facilities, a double bed and better quality Wi-Fi to be included to feel that they were getting good value for money.

The proportion who would like parking provided increased from 40% to 61%.

There was a slight increase in satisfaction with the overall quality of SLA among Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel.

However, among Army personnel, this satisfaction has fallen.

Costs and cooking

Some 32% of dissatisfied personnel believe they pay too much for the quality of accommodation.

Around half are dissatisfied with the quality of maintenance and repair work, which remains consistent with levels in 2022.

When it comes to cooking facilities, the number one provision that most personnel would like to have access to in their current or most recent SLA, was an oven – only 12% had access to one, however.

The majority would also want access to a hob and a freezer. At the moment 45% have access to a hob and 35% have access to a freezer.

The survey said the quality of food is the top reason why personnel do not make use of dining facilities, closely followed by the choice of food.