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Forces housing 'must be improved' Forces housing 'must be improved'
(10 minutes later)
The government has acknowledged more needs to be done to improve housing for the armed forces following criticism of conditions by a senior army officer.The government has acknowledged more needs to be done to improve housing for the armed forces following criticism of conditions by a senior army officer.
Adjutant-general Lt Gen Freddie Viggers condemned cramped and decaying living quarters in barracks, saying soldiers and their families deserved better.Adjutant-general Lt Gen Freddie Viggers condemned cramped and decaying living quarters in barracks, saying soldiers and their families deserved better.
Defence Minister Derek Twigg said he accepted accommodation was "not perfect" and improvements were needed.Defence Minister Derek Twigg said he accepted accommodation was "not perfect" and improvements were needed.
The Ministry of Defence said it was working hard to raise standards.The Ministry of Defence said it was working hard to raise standards.
However, Conservative leader David Cameron said the government should be doing more.However, Conservative leader David Cameron said the government should be doing more.
Gen Viggers, in charge of the welfare of British soldiers, became the second senior officer to speak out publicly on the issue after BBC News received photographs showing cracked walls, mildew and broken pipes in barracks.Gen Viggers, in charge of the welfare of British soldiers, became the second senior officer to speak out publicly on the issue after BBC News received photographs showing cracked walls, mildew and broken pipes in barracks.
It's a key issue in what we call the military covenant - giving our soldiers and their families what they deserve in return for that they do for us Lt Gen Freddie Viggers Send us your experiencesIt's a key issue in what we call the military covenant - giving our soldiers and their families what they deserve in return for that they do for us Lt Gen Freddie Viggers Send us your experiences
"The issue we have is that there is still too much accommodation which is of a poor standard, which is old, and which is not modern in the way it's fitted for families," Gen Viggers said."The issue we have is that there is still too much accommodation which is of a poor standard, which is old, and which is not modern in the way it's fitted for families," Gen Viggers said.
"It's a key issue in what we call the military covenant - giving our soldiers and their families what they deserve in return for that they do for us.""It's a key issue in what we call the military covenant - giving our soldiers and their families what they deserve in return for that they do for us."
Last month, outgoing Army head Gen Sir Mike Jackson said some forces accommodation was "frankly shaming".Last month, outgoing Army head Gen Sir Mike Jackson said some forces accommodation was "frankly shaming".
Jennifer James, the mother of a young soldier, said: "We treat prisoners better than our soldiers."Jennifer James, the mother of a young soldier, said: "We treat prisoners better than our soldiers."
Sir Freddie says the state of some barracks is of a "poor standard"Sir Freddie says the state of some barracks is of a "poor standard"
Her son complained about the smell, puddles and leaking toilets, which left many soldiers feeling "depressed and demoralised", she added.Her son complained about the smell, puddles and leaking toilets, which left many soldiers feeling "depressed and demoralised", she added.
But the Ministry of Defence has defended its record, saying much of the accommodation it provides is of a high quality.But the Ministry of Defence has defended its record, saying much of the accommodation it provides is of a high quality.
"We accept there are serious problems...we're working hard to deal with that which isn't up to the high standards we set," a spokesman said."We accept there are serious problems...we're working hard to deal with that which isn't up to the high standards we set," a spokesman said.
He said 95% of service families' accommodation was rated as one or two on a four-point scale, where one is best.He said 95% of service families' accommodation was rated as one or two on a four-point scale, where one is best.
However only 40% of single living accommodation was rated as one.However only 40% of single living accommodation was rated as one.
This was being addressed with a £1bn Single Living Accommodation project, the spokesman said.This was being addressed with a £1bn Single Living Accommodation project, the spokesman said.
Gary Durban sent this picture from his family's accommodation in BicesterGary Durban sent this picture from his family's accommodation in Bicester
The MoD manages 49,000 houses and 150,000 single living units across more than 200 sites in 16 countries.The MoD manages 49,000 houses and 150,000 single living units across more than 200 sites in 16 countries.
In 2005/6, 1,705 of the family homes were upgraded and this year another 1,200 will be modernised.In 2005/6, 1,705 of the family homes were upgraded and this year another 1,200 will be modernised.
Over the next decade £5bn will be spent on improving forces accommodation, the spokesman added.Over the next decade £5bn will be spent on improving forces accommodation, the spokesman added.
Mr Twigg accepted that improvements were needed quickly.Mr Twigg accepted that improvements were needed quickly.
"We recognise there is a challenge, we recognise that the accommodation is not perfect and that we need to improve it," he said."We recognise there is a challenge, we recognise that the accommodation is not perfect and that we need to improve it," he said.
Forces' manifestoForces' manifesto
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Cameron said: "They do so much for us and frankly we should do more for them."Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Cameron said: "They do so much for us and frankly we should do more for them."
He said the Tories planned to announce a "manifesto for forces families" addressing issues such as housing and education.He said the Tories planned to announce a "manifesto for forces families" addressing issues such as housing and education.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said it was hypocritical of the government to hail the professionalism and commitment of the armed forces while failing to look after them properly.Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said it was hypocritical of the government to hail the professionalism and commitment of the armed forces while failing to look after them properly.
Douglas Young, of the British Armed Forces Federation, which represents forces staff, said there were big variations in standards of accommodation, but it should all be brought up to standard.Douglas Young, of the British Armed Forces Federation, which represents forces staff, said there were big variations in standards of accommodation, but it should all be brought up to standard.
"It is nothing to do with young men or young women. It is not a question of lack of maintenance by the user - in some cases it really is down to systems."
Gen Viggers is the latest senior military figure to speak out about issues affecting the armed forces.Gen Viggers is the latest senior military figure to speak out about issues affecting the armed forces.
Last month former Army commander General Sir Michael Rose accused the government of putting soldiers at "considerable and quite unnecessary risk" with cuts in defence spending.Last month former Army commander General Sir Michael Rose accused the government of putting soldiers at "considerable and quite unnecessary risk" with cuts in defence spending.