Military families given more freedom to personalise homes

South Wales Argus

a day ago

More than 800 armed forces households will benefit from the changes, which will allow them to keep pets, decorate their homes, and run businesses as part of a wider effort to improve service accommodation across the UK.
The new freedoms are part of a Consumer Charter announced by the government, following a commitment in the Strategic Defence Review to invest an additional £1.5 billion in military housing.
John Healey, defence secretary, said: "Our armed forces make extraordinary sacrifices to keep us safe every day.
"But for too long, military families have lived in substandard housing without basic consumer rights.
"These new measures are a key milestone as we deliver on our Consumer Charter to stop the rot in military accommodation and ensure our heroes and their loved ones live in houses they can truly call home."
From this week, families will be able to keep up to two dogs, cats, or smaller pets without needing formal approval—a move designed to recognise the important role pets play in family life and mental wellbeing.
Al Carns, minister for veterans and people, said: "As a dog owner and Royal Marine who served for 24 years, much of it in service accommodation, I'm delighted to be making it easier for our dedicated personnel to own family pets.
"Recognising the unique demands of service family life, it is also right that we make it easier for family members to run businesses from military housing."
The changes also include streamlined processes for running businesses from home and plans to allow greater freedom in decorating properties.
The housing improvements are backed by more than £7 billion in investment this Parliament, including £1.5 billion earmarked for urgent repairs and long-term renewal of military family homes.