Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

UK MoD slapped with 'utter betrayal' over new housing policy

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Telegraph
  • 25 Feb 2024 00:42
5 Min Read

Starting next month, the Ministry of Defense will amend the criteria throughout the Army, Navy, and RAF.

  • x
  • UK MOD accused of
    Grant Shapps leaves Downing Street after being appointed Defense Secretary, on August 31, 2023. (AP)

The UK Ministry of Defense has been accused of "utter betrayal" over a new military lodging plan that eliminates rank-based housing allocation.

A group of Army wives has begun a campaign urging the government to reconsider its new housing policy, which would result in many families being transferred into smaller living quarters.

Servicemen and women, together with their families, are housed on or near military bases. Staff members have always been rewarded with larger residences as they advance through the ranks.

However, starting next month, the Ministry of Defense will amend the criteria throughout the Army, Navy, and RAF so that for the first time, dwellings are given based on how many children a serviceman or woman has, not their rank.

Officers with smaller families would suffer the most from the policy, known as the Modern Accommodation Offer (MAO), which reduces their living space.

The decision has prompted uproar among the families of cops, who are frequently compelled to relocate across the nation every two or three years and have little to no control over where they reside.

Rosie Bucknall, the wife of an Army captain, told the defense select committee in written testimony that the "social contract" that exists between the military and its troops will be "eroded" if the plans are carried out.

Bucknall told The Telegraph that the offer has been degraded over the past decades.

“For officers and their family members, who have made personal and financial sacrifices for 10 or 20 years, this is utter betrayal.” 

A shrinking military

A petition by Army spouses seeking a "review" of the policy has garnered 16,000 signatures. The report cautions that Armed Forces retention rates would be affected if the policy follows through.

The military is experiencing significant recruiting and retention issues, with the number of persons departing the Armed Forces increasing by over a fifth at the end of last year.

Related News

Over 10,000 UK armed forces members not medically deployable: MoD

UK Royal Navy faces historic low with only two operational destroyers

A former senior US general expressed concern over the diminishing number of troops in the British army, pointing out that it is no longer as formidable as it once was, amid calls for secretaries to address the military recruitment crisis facing the country.

Recent analysis indicates that the British army's numbers will fall below 70,000 soldiers within the next two years, prompting both US and European generals to question whether the UK remains a top-tier fighting force, as reported by The Daily Mail last month.

Lord Dannatt, the former chief of the Army, has warned that the new model might be a "tipping point" that compels officers to enter the private sector, further reducing the military's already shrunken numbers.

According to quarterly military personnel data, 792 Army officers departed the service early in the recent quarter, up from 450-550 each quarter during the previous decade.

Housing conditions have been a reason for decreased recruitment with a 2023 study indicating that the most often mentioned reason for quitting the military was the "impact on family and personal life."

According to a recent survey done by the families of military officers, 78% of the 342 respondents plan to quit if the new offer is implemented.

Under the MAO, military families will not be compelled to relocate immediately but will be assigned housing at their next assignment under the new guidelines.

Working together, socializing separately

The military now provides instructions on the size of dwellings, in square feet, to which different ranks are entitled.

However, according to the guidelines, warrant officers with one or no children will lose 10% of their housing area.

Brigadiers with the same family structure are expected to lose 45% of their dwelling area.

It implies that a captain with two children who are now living in a three-bedroom house may be relocated to a three-bedroom house in soldiers' quarters, which is around 20% smaller for the same amount of bedrooms.

Lord Dannatt stated that the military has traditionally operated on a hierarchy, with troops and officers working together but living apart.

Dannatt stated that there have "always been married quarters and soldiers quarters,” explaining that they may work together but socialize separately.

"Officers should live amongst each other, and non-commissioned officers and soldiers should live together, to avoid the difficulties of your next-door neighbour being your boss or one of your subordinates.”

An MoD spokesperson stated, “We’re now allocating housing based on need, rather than rank, and modernising accommodation by recognising for the first time those in established long-term relationships and parents with non-resident children.”

  • United Kingdom
  • Britain
  • London
  • UK Ministry of Defence

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS