The Government has revealed plans to prioritize housing opportunities for armed forces personnel and veterans on Ministry of Defence land. Up to 100,000 properties are set to be developed on repurposed defence sites, with Defence Secretary John Healey introducing a ‘Forces First’ initiative at the Labour Party Conference.
During a visit to a shipyard in Merseyside, Healey highlighted the poor housing conditions faced by military personnel, attributing them to low morale and recruitment challenges. The Government aims to invest £1.5 billion by 2029 to improve the quality of military accommodation.
Addressing delegates in Liverpool, Healey criticized the previous administration for neglecting Armed Forces housing, leading to a decline in morale and recruitment. He emphasized Labour’s commitment to enhancing home ownership opportunities for service members and veterans.
Statistics reveal a significant decrease in personnel joining the forces under the Tories, prompting Healey to stress the importance of addressing housing issues. He made these remarks while celebrating a major warship export deal at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, which is expected to create job opportunities in the region.
The Ministry of Defence’s substantial investments in the north-west region have supported thousands of jobs, with recent contracts further boosting economic growth. Healey praised the warship deal with Norway for its positive impact on the British economy and local employment, particularly at the Cammell Laird shipyard.