14 Accepted

We raised concerns that, given sustainability targets, in two or three years the Department will...

Conclusion
We raised concerns that, given sustainability targets, in two or three years the Department will have to retrofit much relatively new accommodation. It told us that it is running a number of low-carbon trials across Single Living Accommodation properties and considers that a 5% to 7% uplift can deliver a much higher standard of energy efficiency performance for new build accommodation. It said it is in the process of implementing this through its building standards. It also told us it is putting in place about 2,000 bed spaces on the training estate that are in modular build, 50-personnel blocks, which are effectively carbon positive, generating a surplus of green energy.42 41 Q 19; C&AG’s Report, para 4.10 42 Q 45 14 Improving single living accommodation for service personnel 2 Oversight and funding Management Information
Government Response Summary
The government commits to setting and publishing a clear minimum standard for the condition of Single Living Accommodation by December 2021, and states that the Defence Accommodation Strategy will consider wider initiatives like Net Zero Carbon.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government Accepted
3: PAC recommendation: The Department should set and publish a clear minimum standard for the condition of its Single Living Accommodation by the end of the year, taking account of best practice in civilian standards and wider thinking on sustainability. 3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: December 2021 3.2 The department commits to setting and publishing a clear minimum standard for the condition of SLA which goes beyond simple safety and compliance to address issues of basic habitability. The department, through the SLA Expert Group has already developed and socialised many of the core elements of this definition. 3.3 An agreed condition definition will help cohere the single Services to work towards the same standards of condition in the future. It will provide a baseline both to ensure service personnel are not accommodated in poor condition SLA and to inform future investment. The definition will consider the key factors in defining a minimum standard, noting that the defence estate brings with it sometimes significant legacy building challenges associated with the vast spectrum of building types, ages, listings and standards where there will be some challenges regarding sustainability and best practice civilian standards. 1.3 The Defence Accommodation Strategy (DAS) will... consider wider initiatives such as Net Zero Carbon and People Transformation, and key dependencies such as the Annington Homes rent renegotiations and DIO void reduction plans.
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 5.3 yrs
Report published 23 Apr 2021