Homes for Heroes
Blog / February 4, 2010 / Comment now
This week I met with Kevan Jones, Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans, to press the case for our service personnel. Amongst a number of issues that we discussed was the difficulty that is faced by service men and women when it comes to finding suitable accommodation.
I was pleased to learn about a pilot scheme that the government has recently announced that will assist members of the armed forces in getting on the property ladder. Under this scheme the government will provide up to 50% of the property value to give real help to members of the armed forces. Unlike other schemes of this nature, members will be able to purchase a property anywhere in England.
I am pleased that the government has recognised that more needs to be done to ensure our service men and women and their families receive real support in their day to day lives. The aim of the scheme is to ensure that those people who serve abroad on our behalf are not disadvantaged by the demands of service life. The nation owes every member of the armed forces a debt of gratitude for their dedication and for the risks that they take on our behalf.
The pilot scheme will run until 2013 and has had £20 million set aside to assist its smooth running. This sort of initiative shows the fresh thinking of Ministers like Kevan Jones and illustrates what can be achieved by government. I announced earlier this year that I had signed up to the British Legion Manifesto and committed myself to support specific policies aimed at improving the lives of serving and retired personnel and their families.
The Minister with responsibility, Kevan Jones, said:
“Getting a first foot on the property ladder is an important step in any young person’s life. By providing the flexibility to live anywhere in England and giving applicants the opportunity to sublet when they are working away from home, we have delivered a scheme that is tailor-made to meet the unique needs of the Armed Forces.
“This is yet another example of the MOD working with other Government departments to ensure that servicemen and women get the best deal.”
