The British Army is facing a crisis as a result of plans to shift its housing policy towards families’ needs, according to a BBC report. Currently, military personnel are entitled to subsidised housing based on their rank, but the Ministry of Defence (MoD) wants to change the rules to focus on families’ needs. Ex-military officers and senior soldiers are now threatening to quit the Army en masse over the changes. The plan could mean many officers will lose entitlement to larger homes. The MoD will launch its New Accommodation Offer (NAO) for military personnel in March.
Under the new policy, a married major with no children would be entitled to a two-bedroom property rather than a three- or four-bedroom house, which would leave them with around 38% less space. However, a married private with three children will be allocated a larger home, gaining around 27% more space. According to BBC’s report, officers have criticised the plan arguing that it could worsen the army recruitment and retention challenges they are currently grappling with, as families would be unable to return to a place they call home.
The report, which has obtained testimony from more than 20 officers and their partners, reveals that dozens are ready to walk out on the decision. Additionally, an online petition calling for a review of the policy has already gained 18,000 signatures. More than 300 officers took part in a survey on social media where 78% said they would leave if their accommodation allowance was reduced. The BBC notes that most of the testimony has been given anonymously.
Several officers and their wives said the new accommodation policy would also have a devastating impact on family life, with grown-up children now no longer being able to return to a place to call home. One officer said “I have a boy and girl just over the age of 18. Knowing I’d be allocated a three-bedroom house meant we could still get a family home. This policy changes it.” The MoD justified the move, stating that the New Accommodation Offer (NAO) “will make provision fairer through allocating accommodation on need, not just rank and recognising long-term relationships”.
The shift in military housing policy comes as the MoD works to address the shortage of adequate military accommodation, a longstanding issue that has seen increased dissatisfaction from soldiers. A survey of military personnel in 2021 found only around half were satisfied with the standard of accommodation provided, with some families living in damp and poorly maintained military quarters
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