Helen calls for urgent action as military water problems revealed

Armed forces personnel in North Shropshire were left without hot water for more than a day 16 times in one year, new figures have revealed.

Helen Morgan MP raised the issue in Parliament as she called on the Government to do more to improve living conditions for service men and women.

Helen revealed that water complaints at single living accommodation in North Shropshire doubled from 116 in 2018 to 232 in 2024, with 16 separate loses of water for more than 24 hours last year.

Helen has previously challenged the Government over the use of container-style accommodation for single soldiers in Shropshire who have also had to put up with rat infestations at bases like Tern Hill Barracks.

She has also been a long-term campaigner for improved accommodation for military families, many of whom live in North Shropshire while they are based at RAF Shawbury and RAF Cosford.

Helen secured a commitment from the Government to bring military accommodation up to the Decent Homes Standard but wants urgent action to be taken to improve the standard of living for personnel and their families.

In recent years families have had to cope with burst boilers, broken heaters, damp and mould along with poor service from maintenance contractors.

In response to Helen’s question, the Minister responsible for Armed Forces People and Families, Louise Sandher-Jones, said the Government was aiming to tackle these issues through its Single Living Accommodation Review.

Helen said: “It’s unacceptable that so many military personnel are being forced to live in substandard accommodation.

“It should not be too much to ask that bases include clean living quarters with a reliable water supply.

“The Government must take urgent action to upgrade single living quarters and give our forces the accommodation they deserve.”