Devil in the detail on veterans' housing plan - Rogerson, 21 June 2007
The Liberal Democrats have cautiously welcomed the Government's announcement that ex-service personnel could be given a better deal on social housing, warning that 'the devil will be in the detail'.
The Party has supported calls for a review of present arrangements, which can see former members of the armed forces put at a disadvantage where local authorities look for a connection to their area as a key criterion for allocating local homes.
Commenting, Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson, Dan Rogerson MP said:
"We welcome the long-overdue attention to this issue, which is important for service families and for single service personnel in particular.
"After risking their lives serving our country, our servicemen and women have too often been treated shabbily by this Government.
"As ever, the devil will be in the detail. Ministers must ensure that housing is linked locally to the regiment in which the personnel served, their connections prior to service and make sure they are near their families.
"The Government should bring forward concrete and effective proposals sooner rather than later."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The Housing Minister, Yvette Cooper, today made a commitment to make necessary changes to housing legislation at the earliest opportunity, so that "service personnel are treated fairly and put on an equal footing with other people applying for social housing."