Armed Forces personnnel will get first dibs on homes on MOD land

Armed Forces personnel and veterans will be given "first dibs" on homes created on surplus Ministry of Defence land, the Government has revealed.

Defence Secretary John Healey said up to 100,000 homes could be built on the land.

Mr Healey will reveal further details of the Forces First approach in a speech at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool.

It is hoped these latest measures will support recruitment, retention and morale.

The latest figures from the MOD showed that more UK regulars left the Armed Forces than joined over 12 months. In the year up to 31 June 2025, 14,020 left the regular forces, 500 more than those who joined up in the same period.

About time, not about the leaving though.

That sounds at first utterance a very good idea, however, I cannot see it being attractive to say a 18 year recruit so that may not increase recruitment. With regard to retention that again is questionable, will these houses be in the right areas, will they be for rent or to buy and at affordable prices on a scale that is in keeping with the lowest pay rates.

It sounds a brilliant idea and I hope it comes to fruition but I just can’t see it happening. I hope I’m proved wrong.