Cornwall Military Families Promised Better Homes Under £9bn Plan

103 Military Families in South East Cornwall Set to Benefit

Armed forces families in 103 military homes across South East Cornwall are set for a major upgrade under Labour’s new £9 billion Defence Housing Strategy. The plan, announced today, marks the biggest renewal of military housing in more than 50 years, aiming to deliver homes “fit for our heroes.”

Record Investment to Modernise Forces Housing

The Government’s new strategy will see 9 in 10 military homes upgraded and modernised over the next decade, with over 40,000 houses included in the programme. A total of 14,000 homes will be rebuilt or substantially refurbished, supported by a record uplift in Defence spending.

A new Defence Housing Service will also be created to manage military homes and support service families more effectively.

Backing for South East Cornwall

Anna Gelderd, Member of Parliament for South East Cornwall, said the plan would directly benefit the area’s strong military community.

“From those starting their careers at HMS Raleigh to the many veterans who live across our area, we have a proud military community here in South East Cornwall,” she said.

“I believe it’s only right that those who serve our country live in homes fit for heroes. This announcement is great news for our military community, and I’ll continue to focus on delivering results for serving personnel, veterans, and their families.”

Homes Back in Public Ownership

Earlier this year, Labour struck a deal to bring 36,000 forces family homes back into public ownership, including 9,354 in the South West. This move reversed a 1996 privatisation which had cost taxpayers billions. By ending private rent payments, the buy-back has saved over £200 million annually, with the savings now being reinvested into upgrading forces housing.

A ‘Forces First’ Approach

The strategy includes a new ‘Forces First’ policy, giving veterans and serving personnel priority access to buy new homes built on surplus Defence land. Some of these will include affordable housing options, and the scheme aims to support both military and civilian families across the South West.

The Government will also widen housing eligibility to better reflect modern family life, extending access to couples in long-term relationships and non-resident parents. In the meantime, a rental support scheme will help personnel rent privately until new homes become available.

Delivering for Defence and the Nation

Labour’s Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said the plan demonstrates the Government’s commitment to the Armed Forces community.

“Our British forces personnel and our veterans fulfil the ultimate public service. Our nation is rightly proud of them. And the very least they deserve is a decent home,” he said.

“This new Strategy will embed a ‘Forces First’ approach that tells our forces, our veterans and their families: we are on your side. We can’t fix forces housing overnight, but this effort is already underway and will now accelerate.”

The plan also aims to kickstart a major housebuilding programme on surplus Defence land, with potential for over 100,000 new homes nationwide, supporting thousands of jobs and delivering billions of pounds in economic output.

Tackling Years of Decline

Satisfaction with Service Family Accommodation reached record lows in 2023, with a Defence Select Committee report finding that two-thirds of homes were “essentially no longer fit for purpose.” The new investment seeks to reverse years of underfunding and falling morale among military families.

The plan is funded by Labour’s commitment to increase Defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027, alongside what has already been described as the largest pay rise for Armed Forces personnel in over 20 years.

📷Anna Gelderd MP with Minister for the Armed Forces, Al Carns, at Torpoint Council with members of the Royal British Legion and local veterans