Defence Housing Service set in law under Armed Forces Bill

Legislation laid before Parliament would create a standalone Defence Housing Service, extend the Armed Forces Covenant across government and trigger what ministers describe as the largest renewal of military housing in a generation.

The UK Government has introduced the Armed Forces Bill to Parliament, setting out plans to place a new Defence Housing Service on a statutory footing and extend legal protections for service personnel and their families across all levels of government. According to the Ministry of Defence, the Bill would establish a dedicated Defence Housing Service responsible for renewing the vast majority of the forces housing estate, following what the government describes as years of underinvestment. The new body is intended to deliver the £9 billion Defence Housing Strategy announced in November, with the aim of upgrading nine in ten military homes.

The legislation would also enable the development of up to 100,000 homes on surplus defence land, with serving personnel and veterans given priority access. Ministers say this would form part of a broader effort to improve accommodation standards, services and long-term housing options for the Armed Forces community. For the first time, the Armed Forces Covenant would be extended in law across central government, devolved administrations and local authorities. This would require public bodies to take account of the specific circumstances of service life when delivering areas such as housing, healthcare, employment support and social care.

As part of the reforms, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that urgent refurbishment work has already been carried out on 1,000 homes, completed ahead of schedule before Christmas. The work followed the return to public ownership of more than 36,000 military homes last year. Further upgrades are under way, including more than 200 homes in Helensburgh, which the Defence Secretary is visiting today. The Bill also includes measures to strengthen the UK’s Strategic Reserve, expanding the conditions under which former service personnel can be recalled. Proposed changes would raise the maximum recall age from 55 to 65, align recall periods across the services, and lower the threshold so reservists can be recalled for warlike preparations, rather than only in cases of national emergency or attack. The government says the changes would bring the UK into line with arrangements already used by several NATO allies.

Defence Secretary John Healey said the reforms were intended to reset the relationship between the state and those who serve.

“Our Armed Forces make extraordinary sacrifices to keep this country safe. In return, they deserve homes fit for their families and the support of a nation that proudly values their service,” he said.

“Through this legislation, a new Defence Housing Service will drive the biggest improvement in forces accommodation for a generation, we will ensure reserve forces can step up when needed and we will extend legal protections so that every part of government considers the needs of our service personnel and their families.”

Alongside housing and reserve reforms, the Bill introduces new provisions to improve support for victims of serious crimes within the Armed Forces, including sexual offences, and to reduce the risk of further harm. It also proposes new powers to counter drone incursions over the Defence Estate, reflecting concerns raised by the war in Ukraine about the threat posed by uncrewed systems. The Ministry of Defence said the measures build on recent changes including the largest pay rise for service personnel in more than two decades, the creation of an Armed Forces Commissioner, and the removal of 100 legacy recruitment policies.