Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 7
7
The standard of Single Living Accommodation is very variable, and the Department agreed that it...
Conclusion
The standard of Single Living Accommodation is very variable, and the Department agreed that it is not acceptable that more than one-third of personnel in Single Living Accommodation are living in the lowest-grade accommodation (Grade 4 or below).17 We asked why the number of service personnel living in poorly rated accommodation had been growing. The Department acknowledged that expectations had been changing and that what constituted poor quality had moved on.18 It also explained that the grading system used includes a number of factors, not just the condition of accommodation. As a 7 Qq 30–31 8 Qq 66, 95 9 C&AG’s Report, para 3.2 10 Q 14 11 C&AG’s Report, para 4.6 12 Q 6 13 Public Accounts Committee, Defence Equipment Plan 2020–2030, Fiftieth Report of Session 2019–21, HC 693, 16 March 2021 14 Q 15 15 Q 20 16 Q 29 17 Qq 1, 14, 28; C&AG’s Report, para 11 18 Qq 15; C&AG’s Report, paras 11, 3.4 Improving single living accommodation for service personnel 11 result, it is possible to have a very high standard room in a poor location, such as close to a runway, that has a low grade for charging purposes. This is because the charge reflects that whole experience.19
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: December 2021 2.2 The DAS will set the strategic direction for the department’s accommodation provision and approach to standards, but separate working groups will set specific standards. This will include a minimum standard for the condition of SLA which will be key to identifying and then eradicating the poorest quality accommodation. 2.3 It is already the department’s policy that SLA should not be used if it fails to meet statutory minimum standards of safety and compliance. Furthermore, once the minimum quality standard for SLA has been defined, all SLA will be assessed ahead of incorporating necessary improvements into works programmes from financial year 2023-24.