Written questions by Cartlidge.

Whether it is his policy to continue the Armed Forces Help to Buy Scheme.

Yes.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the maintenance and repairs service provided by private contractors on the defence estate.

Improving Service accommodation is a priority for this Government. The Armed Forces Continuous Attitude survey shows Service personnel have low levels of satisfaction with responses to requests for and the quality maintenance/repair work of Service Family Accommodation, and low levels of satisfaction with the general standard of Single Living Accommodation. As a first step to improving Service life the Government will establish an Armed Forces Commissioner as a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families, to raise issues including housing. Within each built estate Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) contract, there is an embedded assurance and verification process to check the adequacy of the maintenance and repair service provided. The assessments are made against Acceptable Levels of Performance. As part of the National Accommodation Management Services contract, Pinnacle is consistently delivering at or above the minimum Acceptable Level of Performance in all areas where they have sole responsibility for delivery. Performance has either improved or been maintained by both VIVO and Amey in the key areas of reactive maintenance timeframes, and against the Move-In Standard. more progress still needs to be made before both are consistently at or above the Acceptable Level of Performance across the board and to meet the needs of Service families. All FDIS UK Built Estate suppliers are currently performing as a minimum at the Acceptable Level of Performance in all areas. Where performance falls short of that Acceptable Level of Performance, specific performance Rectification Plans are put in place to recover performance and any subsequent contractual performance withholds applied. Each Region manages this performance rectification with suppliers back to an acceptable level of performance with oversight from the Health Check Forum. In general, the levels of performance have been improving due to Supplier competence and experience building commensurate with contract maturity.

Whether he has plans to authorise further funds for ancillary purchases of equipment and enablers for the Ajax programme, beyond the existing firm contract amount.

Ministers are closely looking at the inherited plans for the Ajax programme.

Whether he plans to take steps to improve customer service for (a) single living accommodation and (b) service family accommodation.

Improving Service accommodation is a priority for this Government. The Department is committed to improving customer service for Service personnel and families living in Single Living Accommodation (SLA) and Service Family Accommodation (SFA). As a first step to improving Service life the Government will establish an Armed Forces Commissioner as a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families, to raise issues including housing. SLA A SLA Expert Group, including Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and Top Level Budget (TLB) representatives and delivery teams, is continuing to evolve Defence Minimum Standard (DMS) measures to improve the quality of SLA. If the DMS is not met and no other accommodation can be offered, charges for Service Personnel may be abated. A data tool that promotes consistency in DMS assessments is under development and is due to be completed by the end of 2024. SFA A review of contractual Key Performance Indicators is being initiated in recognition of the concerns raised by Service Families to ensure that they are aligned with and meet their needs. A joint DIO and contractor Case Management Team has been established to deliver targeted intervention for families by providing additional support where immediate action is required. The case management process aims to prevent issues from escalating into complaints. Additionally, a review of the complaints process is underway to identify where the process might be improved and to make it easier for families to seek swift resolution of reported poor performance. The attached table shows the number of open complaints made about SFA by Service Personnel since 2022. As at 1 July 2024, the number of open complaints reduced to 539, down from the peak of 4,190 in early November 2022.

Whether he has made an estimate of trends in the number of complaints made about service family accommodation since 2022; and what steps he plans to take to reduce the number of recorded complaints.

Improving Service accommodation is a priority for this Government. The Department is committed to improving customer service for Service personnel and families living in Single Living Accommodation (SLA) and Service Family Accommodation (SFA). As a first step to improving Service life the Government will establish an Armed Forces Commissioner as a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families, to raise issues including housing. SLA A SLA Expert Group, including Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and Top Level Budget (TLB) representatives and delivery teams, is continuing to evolve Defence Minimum Standard (DMS) measures to improve the quality of SLA. If the DMS is not met and no other accommodation can be offered, charges for Service Personnel may be abated. A data tool that promotes consistency in DMS assessments is under development and is due to be completed by the end of 2024. SFA A review of contractual Key Performance Indicators is being initiated in recognition of the concerns raised by Service Families to ensure that they are aligned with and meet their needs. A joint DIO and contractor Case Management Team has been established to deliver targeted intervention for families by providing additional support where immediate action is required. The case management process aims to prevent issues from escalating into complaints. Additionally, a review of the complaints process is underway to identify where the process might be improved and to make it easier for families to seek swift resolution of reported poor performance. The attached table shows the number of open complaints made about SFA by Service Personnel since 2022. As at 1 July 2024, the number of open complaints reduced to 539, down from the peak of 4,190 in early November 2022.

What plans he has to ensure that his Department is a psychologically safe place in which to work.

This Government is committed to a safe working environment for all. The Secretary of State for Defence set out in his first address to staff that this will be a Government that respects all, will draw on all talents and will have zero tolerance for abuse. The Ministry of Defence has launched a programme aimed at reaffirming the standards of behaviour that are expected across Defence. The Secretary of State has asked for an update on this work, and will consider what further action is needed across the Department.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing minimum standards for single living accommodation.

Improving Service accommodation is a priority for this Government. The Armed Forces Continuous Attitude survey shows Service personnel have low levels of satisfaction with the standard of accommodation. Ministers will consider options on accommodation as part of departmental work to address low morale and recruitment and retention challenges in our Armed Forces. As a first step to improving service life the Government will establish an Armed Forces Commissioner as a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families, to raise issues including housing.

What his policy is on the continuity of education allowance for service families.

The Government is committed to access to high quality education for children of service families, and all children across the UK. The policy for Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) remains extant. The Ministry of Defence will monitor the development of legislation to deliver a VAT increase policy.

What discussions he (a) has had and (b) plans to have with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential impact of VAT on private school fees on service families.

The Government is committed to access to high quality education for children of service families, and all children across the UK. The policy for Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) remains extant. The Ministry of Defence will monitor the development of legislation to deliver a VAT increase policy.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of VAT on private school fees on service families.

The Government is committed to access to high quality education for children of service families, and all children across the UK. The policy for Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) remains extant. The Ministry of Defence will monitor the development of legislation to deliver a VAT increase policy.