Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Accepted
Review adequacy standards and the assessment process for Single Living Accommodation.
Conclusion
While we welcome the MOD’s work in parallel with DLUHC to develop a new Enhanced Target Standard (ETS) for SFA, the MOD needs to review not only the standards it uses to assess the adequacy of accommodation, but also critically the assessment process itself. It needs to have justified confidence in both. (Recommendation, Paragraph 87) Single Living Accommodation (SLA)
Government Response Summary
The MOD accepts the recommendation and is committed to developing a new Enhanced Target Standard. To review standards and the assessment process, a stock condition survey has been initiated to provide independent verification of the estate's condition, with findings to be reported by April 30, 2025. This will inform the Defence Housing Strategy, planned for publication later this year.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The MOD accepts recommendation 19. The standards used to assess the adequacy of SFA are based on the Government’s DHS, Housing Health and Safety Rating Systems (HHSRS) and Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors schedules (based on surveying homes). The government are committed to developing a new enhanced Target Standard for military housing that aims to break the link between age and condition (i.e. currently assets must be both unserviceable and old before they are replaced). Key ‘components’ within SFA (i.e. age of kitchen, bathroom, boiler etc) are assessed against clearly defined thresholds. Target Standard also aims to reset the tolerance level for HHSRS Hazard Score Bands for Category 2 hazards and removes illogical criteria currently included within DHS to raise the quality of workmanship across SFA in accordance with industry best practice. Target Standard will aim to provide increased recognition of modernity, ensuring personnel are provided with high quality accommodation and removing the mismatch between the condition of a property and categorisation of ‘Decent Homes Standard’. A stock condition survey has been initiated in response to ministerial direction to seek independent up-to-date verification of the condition of the estate. This will survey a representative sample of SFA and report its findings by 30 April 2025 providing a clear baseline of the condition of the estate. This work will inform the defence Housing Strategy, which we plan to publish later this year. The MOD will do more than simply comply with Government standards such as meeting Energy Efficiency Targets and Awaab’s Law. We will introduce higher minimum standards for energy efficiency, which are expected to become statutory in Scotland from 2028 but will be equally relevant to families serving throughout the rest of the UK, increase recognition of modernity, and work with our contractors to raise the standard of the quality of workmanship in SFA. Single Living Accommodation (SLA)