Homes for heroes

Since I was elected I’ve spoken a number of times in Parliament about the tremendous debt we owe to our Armed Forces. It’s something I feel very deeply, as I know residents do across Aldershot and Farnborough. People from our towns have served in every major conflict that our country has faced over the past two hundred years.

I’ve also seen first hand, however, the poor quality housing that many of our servicemen and women, and their families, have to live in in this constituency. Urgent action is required to improve end this scandal.

And, from talking to service families, I have gained a unique insight into the challenges they faced when trying to get help from other public services. Frequent postings, camp life and the pressures of military service can make it harder to access consistent health, social care and education support.

I have consulted military families and representative organisations about how we improve public services and, in particular, how new services respond to the barriers that military families experience.  My report on Best Start Family Hubs is an example.

I was pleased to support the Government’s deal to buy back 36,000 military homes across the UK, including 1742 in Aldershot & Farnborough, in Prime Minister’s Questions.

This landmark deal will unlock new-build housing projects and essential refurbishments for military families, and save the taxpayer £230 million per year.

I will be working with the Government to ensure that military families in Aldershot & Farnborough feel the benefit of this deal by providing better quality housing in the months and years to come.