Overview

• Defence Secretary John Healey set out the Forces First approach at Labour’s conference in Liverpool, promising priority access to new homes for service families and veterans.
• The policy introduces tools such as ‘first dibs’ marketing, priority for affordable homes and MOD purchase of new-build properties to upgrade Service Family and Single Living Accommodation.
• Priority will apply only to a proportion of homes on selected sites, with the share agreed by the MOD, local authorities and developers based on demand and viability.
• Ministers say surplus defence land has capacity for more than 100,000 homes, with a trailblazer already agreed at MOD Feltham with Hounslow Council and the Greater London Authority.
• The plan builds on a record £1.5 billion multi-year investment to 2029 and January’s buyback of 36,347 former Annington homes, which officials say ended about £230 million a year in rent.