Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander has said the Armed Forces Bill marks a decisive step in renewing the UK’s contract with service personnel, as new legislation promises a major upgrade to military housing across Scotland.
Speaking as the Armed Forces Bill was introduced to Parliament, Alexander said the creation of a new Defence Housing Service would ensure Scottish service personnel and their families receive “homes fit for heroes” after years of underinvestment.
The Bill will place the Defence Housing Service into law, underpinning a ten-year programme to upgrade nine in ten military homes in Scotland. More than 3,000 Service Family Accommodation properties are covered, backed by the £9 billion Defence Housing Strategy announced in November. Alexander framed the reforms as both practical and symbolic, arguing they reflected the importance of Scotland’s role in UK defence and the obligation to support those who serve.
“The introduction of the Armed Forces Bill is a key part of our commitment to renew the country’s contract with those who serve,” he said. “It ensures that Scotland’s service personnel and their families finally get what they deserve: homes fit for heroes.”
He also highlighted the Bill’s wider scope, noting that it will extend the Armed Forces Covenant across all areas of public life, including devolved government and local authorities in Scotland. This will place a legal duty on public bodies to consider the unique circumstances faced by service personnel, veterans and their families in areas such as housing, social care and employment support. Alongside housing reform, Alexander pointed to recent pay awards and broader legislative changes as evidence of a shift in approach.
“We have provided the largest pay rise for personnel in more than 20 years,” he said, adding that Scotland’s service community deserved sustained backing in return for its contribution to national security.
Defence Secretary John Healey visited Helensburgh to mark the Bill’s introduction, where refurbishment work has already been completed on more than 50 military homes, with a further 170 due to be upgraded this year. Similar work is under way at other Scottish defence sites, including Kinloss. The Bill also introduces changes to the UK’s Strategic Reserve, increasing the maximum recall age to 65, aligning recall rules across the services and lowering the threshold for mobilisation to include warlike preparations. Ministers argue the measures reflect lessons from Ukraine and bring the UK into line with several NATO allies.
“Scotland plays such a vital role in the UK’s defence,” he said. “I am deeply proud of our service personnel. Their professionalism and bravery are rightly respected worldwide, and it is our duty to back them.”
