VETERANS in a Hampshire town have been visited by the shadow defence secretary ahead of the local elections.

John Healey MP, Labour's shadow defence secretary, spoke to service personnel in Aldershot before the Rushmoor Borough Council elections on Thursday, May 2.

The MP also asked residents about their concerns with housing, as data from the Ministry of Defence has revealed that 1,530 out of 5,110 serving personnel in Hampshire live in 'grade 4' single living accommodation, the lowest rating.

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Basingstoke Gazette: John Healey MP with candidate Alex Baker, and Lee Buss-Blair from Mike Jackson House

The Ministry of Defence awards grades to single living accommodation based on its quality across 14 categories, including the condition of bedroom decoration, fixtures and fittings, adequacy of heating systems and the proximity of toilet and washing facilities.

There is currently no minimum quality standard set for single living accommodation and no minimum acceptable conditions that service personnel should expect.

Mr Healey said: "Here in Aldershot, I have met some of the many incredible veterans who have given so much in the service of our country.

“But the last 14 Conservative years have corroded the nation’s contract with those who serve. Personnel living in damp and mouldy housing, morale falling by a third to almost 40 per cent, and retention rates dropping.

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“In Government, Labour will legislate to establish an Armed Forces Commissioner to act as a strong, independent voice for service personnel and their families and make service accommodation a priority, so that those who serve, and their families, live in homes fit for heroes.” 

Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Aldershot, Alex Baker said: “Military families and veterans here in Aldershot and Farnborough are an integral part of our community. But for too long they have been let down.

“I was delighted to welcome Labour’s shadow defence secretary John Healey to Mike Jackson House in Aldershot, to meet some amazing members of the veterans community and to set out exactly what Labour will do to improve things for them, and for everyone who lives in this wonderful constituency.”