Over 100 MPs Sign Parliamentary Motion
Posted by Nadine Dorries, MP for Mid Bedfordshire, at 14:12, Thu 25 January 2007:
Today a parliamentary motion tabled in my name gained the support of over 100 Members of Parliament - the motion calls for greater action to support the housing needs of former members of the armed forces. The Early Day Motion – (Number 288) titled Housing Provision For Former Members Of The United Kingdom’s Armed Forces – has received cross-party support from 105 MPs so far and calls for the government to review the current system for allocating housing to service veterans.
The support of over 100 MPs is a clear recognition that members of all political persuasions recognise the importance of this issue. In light of the significant contribution our armed forces make in defending our national interests, I believe it is important that we recognise their commitment and professionalism in the service of our country both at home and abroad.
Unfortunately some members of the armed forces face significant difficulties in finding housing for themselves and their families following the end of their careers in the services. Currently, servicemen and women are prevented from claiming ‘local connections’ to the area in which they are based, if they live at a military camp, barracks or RAF station for example. Despite living in a particular locality, local housing associations are not obliged to assist servicemen and women with their housing needs until they are officially registered as homeless. The current process leads to unnecessary instability and distress for our armed forces and their families; those who have loyally served our country deserve better than this. More needs to be done to ensure that local housing associations and the government are responsive to the housing needs of our servicemen and women and their families. I am calling for a review of current housing allocation policy in respect of establishing ‘local connections’ to ensure that former members of the armed forces are not discriminated against when applying for housing in the area in which they live.
The text of the Early Day Motion is as follows:
EDM 288: Housing Provision For Former Members Of The United Kingdom’s Armed Forces.
That this House notes the important contribution made by Her Majesty’s Armed Forces in defending the United Kingdom’s national interests; recognises their commitment and professionalism in the service of our country both at home and abroad; recognises that following the end of their careers in the armed forces many of our servicemen and women and their families face considerable difficulties in securing housing appropriate to their needs as civilians; believes housing associations and the government should review housing allocation policy in respect of establishing ‘local connections’ to ensure that former members of the armed forces are not discriminated against when applying for housing.
If you have any thoughts, views or concerns on this, or any other issues then please get in contact with me in the usual way.
Write to me at: Nadine Dorries MP House of Commons London SW1A 0AA
Telephone me on: 020 7219 4239
Fax me on: 020 7219 6428
Email me at: dorriesn@parliament.uk
Visit my website at: www.dorries.org.uk
Nadine
Nadine Dorries MP Member of Parliament for Mid-Bedfordshire.
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