UK Tables Armed Forces Bill Establishing Defence Housing Service

Overview

• The bill would place a standalone Defence Housing Service in law to deliver the Defence Housing Strategy and upgrade nine in ten military homes.
• Provisions would enable up to 100,000 homes on surplus defence land, giving serving personnel and veterans priority access.
• The Armed Forces Covenant would be extended across central government, devolved administrations and local authorities, requiring services to consider the needs of service families.
• Reserve reforms would raise the maximum recall age to 65, align recall periods across services and permit recall for warlike preparations, aligning the UK with several NATO allies.
• The package adds stronger support for victims of serious offences and new powers to counter drones over the Defence Estate, while noting 1,000 rapid refurbishments and the return of more than 36,000 homes to public ownership.