Plans to allocate military housing based on family size rather than rank paused in ‘welcome victory for common sense’

PLANS to allocate military housing based on family size rather than rank have been paused.

Officers argued that it would undermine the hierarchical structures of the military and the Ministry of Defence took the decision over fears some would resign in protest.

1

Advertisements

Advertisements

The plans — due to be launched next month — would have seen a private with two or three children being given a larger house than an unmarried major with no kids.

Former Armed Forces minister Mark Francois described it as a “welcome victory for common sense over bureaucracy”.

Rosie Bucknall, the wife of an Army captain and a vocal campaigner against MAO, said: “This development is exactly what we have been hoping for.

“We are thrilled the Defence Secretary has stepped in to apply common sense to such a drastic change and represent the interests of the people for whom he is responsible.”

A petition calling for a review of MoD’s accommodation offer had received 19,900 signatures as of February 27.

Mrs Bucknall previously submitted written evidence to the Defence Select Committee on the social contract which sees officers trade long working hours, absence from family, unpredictable relocations and risk to life, for housing and education.

She wrote: “‘The offer’, as those serving call it, has been persistently degraded over recent decades, with salaries and boarding education allowance now a fraction of what they used to be,” she said, adding: “Now they are dismantling our access to decent housing.”

Mrs Bucknall described the plans as an “utter betrayal”, adding: “If rolled out as planned, it is abundantly clear this accommodation policy will only damage further the trusted relationship between Army officers and the institution they serve.

“The delicate social contract upon which the Army is balanced may be broken irretrievably if (MAO) is not reconsidered.”

Some 792 Army officers left the service in the last quarter, compared with a typical rate of 450 to 550.

For those who have left, the most frequently cited reason was “impact on family and personal life”, according to a 2023 survey conducted by the MoD.

More than 300 officers took part in a survey, of which 78% said they would be prepared to leave the armed forces if their accommodation entitlement were to be reduced.

The MoD remains optimistic that the plans would be approved after feedback had been taken on board.