Whilst the neighbouring town of Aldershot is known as Home of the British Army, here in the Surrey Heath constituency, we have a substantial military presence, including the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMA), Keogh Barracks, and ATC Pirbright.
As such there are a large number of Armed Forces Service Personnel that reside within the constituency with their families. Recently, many have been in touch with Michael Gove MP and their local councillors to raise concerns about the condition of their service family accommodation (SFA).
LATEST UPDATE: 10th January 2024 - The Defence Secretary writes to Michael Gove MP outlining new investment into improving SFA
Michael received a response from Grant Shapps MP, the Defence Secretary, outlining new investment being committed to improve Service Family Accommodation. A copy of the letter is attached below.
Michael very much welcomes the £400m investment to improve SFA, and he will continue to monitor the situation in Surrey Heath, providing assistance to any local Service Families experiencing problems with their homes.
18th October 2023 - Michael met several Service Families again to catch-up on the work being done to improve their SFA
Commenting, Michael said: "For some time, I have been supporting a number of Service Families in Camberley who have been receiving totally inadequate support in their Service Family Accommodation. The state of the homes, and the massive complications they are having with contractors and repairs, is well below the standard they deserve.
"Last week, I visited some of the families to catch-up on progress, which has unfortunately been limited, and I have since written to the MoD once more to stress that a rapid improvement needs to be seen imminently."
19th May 2023 - Michael hosted a meeting with Cllr Paul Deach, Surrey County Councillor for Mytchett, Deepcut and Frimley Green, and representatives from SSEN to discuss the issues service families have been facing with their homes
There have been issues with the power supply to SFA properties, due to ongoing construction work. Michael has been pushing the current developer and SSEN for as speedy a resolution as possible.
11th May 2023 - The Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge MP, responds to Michael
James Cartlidge reiterated that the Ministry of Defence is working hard to improve current levels of housing support and are robustly holding suppliers to account to ensure the provision of good quality homes that are safe and well maintained.
20th January 2023 - The Minister for Defence Procurement, Alex Chalk MP, responds to the concerns raised by Michael over SFA in Surrey Heath
Michael wrote to the Minister outlining the issues that service families are facing with their accommodation. The Minister wrote back, and a copy of the letter is attached below.
Michael has promised to continue to keep in close contact with the Minister for Defence Procurement to ensure that the service families affected in the constituency are receiving all the support they rightly deserve and need.
13th January 2023 - Michael held a further meeting in Camberley with another group of RMAS service families to discuss their ongoing accommodation issues
22nd December 2022 - Michael met several service families from RMA who are living in Service Family Accommodation in Camberley
Michael was very concerned to learn of the repeated problems these families have been experiencing, such as mould, damp, and broken heating, and their difficulties receiving timely repairs. Michael made clear that far too many service families are in housing which is inadequate, and he has been liaising with the Minister for Defence Procurement, Alex Chalk MP, who has assured him that he is taking action on this important issue.
