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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| £80m boost for military housing | £80m boost for military housing |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| An extra £80m has been pledged by Defence Sectary Des Browne to improve maligned army housing conditions. | |
| The money will fund 1,350 new en-suite bed spaces in the second stage of a £1.4bn military accommodation project. | The money will fund 1,350 new en-suite bed spaces in the second stage of a £1.4bn military accommodation project. |
| The Single Living Accommodation Modernisation (Slam) initiative aims to create or improve 50,000 single living bed places by 2013. | The Single Living Accommodation Modernisation (Slam) initiative aims to create or improve 50,000 single living bed places by 2013. |
| In January, BBC News received photos of barracks and shower blocks with cracked walls, mildew and broken pipes. | In January, BBC News received photos of barracks and shower blocks with cracked walls, mildew and broken pipes. |
| Welfare package | Welfare package |
| It prompted the Army's personnel chief, the adjutant-general Lt Gen Freddie Viggers, to promise to fight for better housing for soldiers and their families. | It prompted the Army's personnel chief, the adjutant-general Lt Gen Freddie Viggers, to promise to fight for better housing for soldiers and their families. |
| Mr Browne, in Bournemouth for the Labour conference, visited Bovington Armour Centre, Dorset, where 300 bed spaces have been created since 2005. | Mr Browne, in Bournemouth for the Labour conference, visited Bovington Armour Centre, Dorset, where 300 bed spaces have been created since 2005. |
| He said: "The nation owes our servicemen and women a huge debt of gratitude for the hard work they do on our behalf. | He said: "The nation owes our servicemen and women a huge debt of gratitude for the hard work they do on our behalf. |
| "A crucial part of this is the welfare package we give our personnel and central to this is providing good quality accommodation." | "A crucial part of this is the welfare package we give our personnel and central to this is providing good quality accommodation." |
| 'Excellent opportunity' | 'Excellent opportunity' |
| Mr Browne added: "I know we have a long way to go with some of our accommodation, but I'm determined to see improvements across the board." | Mr Browne added: "I know we have a long way to go with some of our accommodation, but I'm determined to see improvements across the board." |
| "This new money offers an excellent opportunity to make a real difference to our servicemen and women and underlines the priority we place on this issue." | "This new money offers an excellent opportunity to make a real difference to our servicemen and women and underlines the priority we place on this issue." |
| The improved living conditions are hoped to help recruit and retain service personnel. | The improved living conditions are hoped to help recruit and retain service personnel. |
| A National Audit Office report in March said a significant number of personnel could be living in poor quality accommodation for the next 20 years or more. | A National Audit Office report in March said a significant number of personnel could be living in poor quality accommodation for the next 20 years or more. |
| More than 40% of homes are sub-standard with no final date for an upgrade, it added. | More than 40% of homes are sub-standard with no final date for an upgrade, it added. |