More than 50 military homes in Scotland upgraded in time for Christmas

More than 50 military families are celebrating Christmas in upgraded homes as part of a strategy to transform 1,000 of the worst military homes across the UK.

The programme of housing improvements, known as Raising the Minimum Standards, has seen significant works take place at service family homes across the UK – with upgrades made to over 50 properties in Scotland, in areas including Helensburgh.

Improvements include new flooring, replacing unreliable boilers and heating systems, repairing hundreds of leaky roofs and installing new bathrooms, kitchens, windows and doors.

Around £9bn of investment has been allocated for a generational renewal of defence housing over the next decade.

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “Scotland plays such a vital role in the UK’s defence and it’s vital that we ensure our servicemen and women have homes fit for heroes.

“We are appreciative of, and deeply proud of, our service personnel. Their professionalism and bravery are rightly respected worldwide, and it is our duty to back them.

“We are matching our words with concrete actions by renewing our country’s contract with those who serve – by fixing forces’ family housing, providing the largest pay rise in more than 20 years for personnel, and bringing the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law.”

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said: “Our Armed Forces and their families in Scotland sacrifice so much for our country, the least they deserve are safe and decent homes. The work we’ve done to upgrade the 1,000 worst homes means that more families can now enjoy Christmas together in homes that are fit for heroes.

“This is just the start of our ambitious work to upgrade tens of thousands of homes across the country, made possible by our landmark deal to bring 36,000 homes back into public ownership and backed by £9 billion investment. We are ending the decades of neglect and giving our dedicated Armed Forces families the homes they deserve.”