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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Poor forces housing 'for decades' | Poor forces housing 'for decades' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A significant number of UK service personnel could be living in poor quality accommodation for the next 20 years or more, a report has claimed. | A significant number of UK service personnel could be living in poor quality accommodation for the next 20 years or more, a report has claimed. |
| The National Audit Office study says more than 40% of homes are sub-standard with no final date for an upgrade. | The National Audit Office study says more than 40% of homes are sub-standard with no final date for an upgrade. |
| While many improvements have been made, more resources are needed, it adds. | While many improvements have been made, more resources are needed, it adds. |
| Defence Minister Derek Twigg accepted there were problems with some living quarters but said more than £5bn will be spent over 10 years on improvements. | Defence Minister Derek Twigg accepted there were problems with some living quarters but said more than £5bn will be spent over 10 years on improvements. |
| The Ministry of Defence is the second largest landowner in the UK and has a worldwide estate valued at £18bn. | The Ministry of Defence is the second largest landowner in the UK and has a worldwide estate valued at £18bn. |
| The report - which looked into the management of the MoD's estate - estimated that the total operational costs in 2005/6 were £3.3bn. | The report - which looked into the management of the MoD's estate - estimated that the total operational costs in 2005/6 were £3.3bn. |
| It is not right that, here in the UK, they should have to put up with shabby living and working quarters Edward LeighConservative MP class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6230471.stm">In pictures: troops' homes class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6232501.stm">Q&A: Military housing | |
| The report says much has been done to improve service personnel's accommodation, and in some cases, targets have even been exceeded | The report says much has been done to improve service personnel's accommodation, and in some cases, targets have even been exceeded |
| Since 2001/02, about 20,000 single living "bed spaces" have been built and about 12,000 service family houses have been upgraded. | Since 2001/02, about 20,000 single living "bed spaces" have been built and about 12,000 service family houses have been upgraded. |
| However, out of an estate of 46,800 homes, more than 19,000 remain below the "standard one" benchmark, it says. | However, out of an estate of 46,800 homes, more than 19,000 remain below the "standard one" benchmark, it says. |
| It goes on to say: "The scale of the remaining problem is, however, such that unless more resources can be found, a significant number of service personnel and their families are likely to be housed in poor quality accommodation for 20 years or more." | It goes on to say: "The scale of the remaining problem is, however, such that unless more resources can be found, a significant number of service personnel and their families are likely to be housed in poor quality accommodation for 20 years or more." |
| Accommodation | Accommodation |
| Conservative MP Edward Leigh, chairman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee, said the MoD faced a "battle royal" to improve homes. | Conservative MP Edward Leigh, chairman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee, said the MoD faced a "battle royal" to improve homes. |
| He said he acknowledged work was being done to address the situation but was unsure whether resources were being targeted in the right way. | He said he acknowledged work was being done to address the situation but was unsure whether resources were being targeted in the right way. |
| "While roofs are left to leak, money has been found to build new sports pitches. | "While roofs are left to leak, money has been found to build new sports pitches. |
| "It is not right that, here in the UK, they should have to put up with shabby living and working quarters," he said. | "It is not right that, here in the UK, they should have to put up with shabby living and working quarters," he said. |
| 'Working hard' | 'Working hard' |
| Sammie Crane from the Army Families' Federation told BBC News there had been "years of neglect and underinvestment". | Sammie Crane from the Army Families' Federation told BBC News there had been "years of neglect and underinvestment". |
| "If this country is going to commit troops overseas it's got to look after those troops, and one of the ways is housing them properly and making sure there's a proper investment," she said. | "If this country is going to commit troops overseas it's got to look after those troops, and one of the ways is housing them properly and making sure there's a proper investment," she said. |
| "There is money going in but it needs to be more, it needs to be targeted." | "There is money going in but it needs to be more, it needs to be targeted." |
| Mr Twigg though said: "Armed Forces personnel and their families deserve good quality accommodation, and the MoD is committed to providing this. | Mr Twigg though said: "Armed Forces personnel and their families deserve good quality accommodation, and the MoD is committed to providing this. |
| "We acknowledge that there are problems with some service accommodation, and are working hard to improve it." | "We acknowledge that there are problems with some service accommodation, and are working hard to improve it." |
| In January, BBC News published pictures sent in by soldiers of barracks and shower blocks with cracked walls, mildew and broken pipes. | In January, BBC News published pictures sent in by soldiers of barracks and shower blocks with cracked walls, mildew and broken pipes. |
| At the time, Chancellor Gordon Brown pledged to improve military accommodation. | At the time, Chancellor Gordon Brown pledged to improve military accommodation. |