Troops may get cash to buy homes as barracks sold off

CHIEF REPORTER THE centuries-old tradition of housing troops in barracks is to be scrapped under accommodation plans being drawn up by the military.

The Ministry of Defence’s housing review will lead to service personnel being given extra money to buy or rent homes near bases, rather than living on them.

The move will be welcomed by troops who have endured decrepit, ageing accommodation, although military sources have warned that the closure of barracks could harm battlefield

The terrible state of military housing has caused such concern that MPs on the defence select committee are expected to open an inquiry in the coming weeks.

The disclosed earlier this year how boilers had broken down at the Victorian-era Wellington Barracks, home to the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards and Scots Guards, forcing Her Majesty’s foot guards to shower in ice-cold water and live in freezing rooms.

The new arrangements were disclosed by Lieutenant-General Richard Nugee, who was appointed the Chief of Defence People last year, a role that puts him in charge of military housing.

“What we want is choice – what we want is people to live more in the society so that the society understands them and they understand society more,” said Lt-Gen Nugee in an interview with

“It gives them resilience, it gives them independence, and it gives them a sense, I think, of freedom which perhaps the married patch and single living accommodation doesn’t give.”

The new housing scheme – called the Future Accommodation Model (FAM) – will be piloted next year and extended after that.

A survey of service personnel showed that 55 per cent were in favour. The new model will also allow cohabiting personnel to claim allowances currently only available to married couples.

Last year it was announced that almost 1,000 historic bases and barracks will be sold, reducing the military estate by almost a third by 2040. About £140 million will be raised over the next decade from the sell-off. Barracks to close include Woolwich in London, Brecon in Wales and Fort George in the Highlands.