Helen Morgan calls for action on accommodation for single military personnel

Helen Morgan welcomed the Government’s plans to upgrade accommodation for military families but called for similar action for single personnel.

Helen challenged Defence Ministers in the House of Commons over the matter this week after the Government announced plans for a new Defence Housing Service.

Speaking in Parliament, the North Shropshire MP said: “I have been campaigning on service family accommodation since shortly after my election, so I welcome the Government’s commitment to improving it over the past few weeks. 

“However, single living accommodation continues to be a considerable concern. There have recently been reports of rat infestations at RAF Shawbury in my constituency. What will the Government do to improve single living accommodation, which is equally as important as service family accommodation?”

Responding, Minister Louise Sandher-Jones said: “We will shortly start our single living accommodation review to address exactly those points—the sometimes shocking state of such accommodation and what we can do to support the people who live in it.”

Helen has consistently stood up for personnel living in North Shropshire who have faced a variety of problems from mouldy and damp homes to broken boilers and long delays fixing problems in the middle of winter.

The MP recently celebrated a commitment from the Government to bring military homes up to the Decent Homes Standard – a change first proposed by Helen as an amendment to the Renters’ Rights Bill.

As well as having RAF Shawbury in North Shropshire, Clive Barracks recently moved over into the neighbouring Wrekin constituency, while MoD Donnington and RAF Cosford are short distances away in Telford.

Helen regularly engages with the local RAF base and supports constituents with any housing or other issues they face.