A new Red Tape Challenge, announced today by the Defence
Secretary , will invite Service families to identify and
remove outdated housing rules, while new national and regional
committees will ensure their experiences directly influence
future decisions about accommodation services and a
ground-breaking pilot will give them a role in signing off
repairs to their homes.
The measures build on recent changes already introduced by the
MOD, including ending outdated restrictions on keeping pets and
giving families greater freedom to decorate their homes.
They form part of the Government's £9.2 billion Defence Housing
Strategy, which will transform military housing through the new
Defence Housing Service, delivering better homes, improved
service standards and a stronger focus on the needs of Service
personnel and their families.
Defence Secretary, MP, said:
Service families should not feel that decisions about their homes
are being made without them. These reforms are about giving
families more power and control, with a stronger voice in shaping
housing services and a clear route to challenge things that
aren't working.
Alongside major investment in defence housing, we are determined
to build a service that listens and delivers the standard of
housing our Armed Forces and their families deserve.
A new Code of Conduct will ensure families receive a more
consistent and respectful service from everyone representing
Defence housing, including contractors across the supply chain.
A new pilot is also being introduced that will give families a
greater role in signing off repairs and maintenance work, helping
to ensure issues are fully resolved and work is completed to the
expected standard before jobs are closed.
A new Customer Committee will also give families a direct voice
in decision-making at a national level, while Regional Experience
Committees will bring together residents from across the country
to identify local issues and help shape future services.
Together, the committees will ensure that family feedback informs
decisions across the Defence housing system.
Tricia Jakeman, Defence Families Champion, whose role it
is to listen to Service families and the challenges they are
facing, said:
Behind every military home is a family whose support is essential
to operational life. Giving Service families a stronger voice in
the decisions that affect them is not only the right thing to do,
it is essential if we are to deliver the quality of housing and
services they deserve.
The changes we've seen over the past year show what can be
achieved when families are listened to, and this is an important
step in ensuring their voices continue to drive positive change.
The Defence Housing Strategy, launched in November, set out the
MOD's plans to reform military housing over the next decade.
Backed by £9.2 billion of investment, it will be delivered
through the Defence Housing Service, which will be formally
established in April 2027.
Service families can find out more about the Red Tape Challenge
and submit their suggestions here: Red Tape
Challenge
