The PCS union says more than 100 military base caretakers face losing their jobs and tied homes under MOD plans to abolish 125 caretaker posts across the reserve estate.
More than 100 military base caretakers and their families face losing both their jobs and their homes under Ministry of Defence proposals to abolish caretaker posts across the reserve estate, the PCS union stated.
According to PCS, the MOD has launched a four-week consultation on plans to remove 125 caretaker roles across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, covering the Army Reserve and University Officers’ Training Corps estate. The union said around 88% of those affected currently live in tied accommodation, meaning many long-serving staff could be forced to leave homes they have lived in for years as a direct result of redundancy.
The union said caretakers provide a vital on-site presence that goes well beyond maintaining buildings, including responding to emergencies, securing military sites, supporting police and fire services, managing contractors and deliveries, maintaining health and safety compliance, opening facilities for reserve and cadet units, and often acting as the first point of contact when incidents occur outside normal working hours.
PCS said the MOD’s own consultation acknowledges existing gaps in the contractor support and digital security systems intended to replace many of these duties, but that it says the proposals support commitments made under the Strategic Defence Review to reduce Civil Service workforce costs and headcount. According to the union, members have described facing the loss of both their jobs and homes, uncertainty over finding affordable accommodation within seven months, and concerns that years of experience and rapid emergency response will disappear.
PCS General Secretary Fran Heathcote was quoted in the press release as saying: “These proposals are devastating. Over 100 dedicated workers face losing not only their jobs, but also the homes that come with them, after years, often decades, of loyal service keeping sites safe, secure and operational. At a time when affordable housing is increasingly out of reach, expecting families to rebuild their lives within a matter of months is simply unacceptable.”
She added: “The MOD’s own consultation acknowledges shortcomings in the contractor and digital systems that are expected to replace these roles, yet it is pressing ahead regardless. PCS will oppose these proposals vigorously and continue to fight to protect both these vital jobs and the people who do them.”
According to the union, the MOD opened formal consultation on 15 July, with the process due to close on 14 August. PCS said the consultation states the proposals support Strategic Defence Review commitments to reduce Civil Service workforce costs by 10% and headcount by 15%, and that the MOD estimates net workforce savings of £12.5 million over ten years. The union said it is seeking legal advice on the implications of the tied accommodation proposals.
The consultation forms part of a wider drive to reduce the size and cost of the Civil Service set out in the Strategic Defence Review, under which the MOD, like other departments, has been tasked with cutting headcount.
