Poor housing is damaging morale, says ex-Army chief

The former head of the British Army says military families are being demoralised by the poor state of their housing.

An investigation has revealed the spouses and children of serving personnel are living in sub-standard homes and forced to contend with flooding, broken doors and even afterbirth stains on a carpet in one instance, according to The Times.

General Sir Mike Jackson, former Chief of the General Staff, said: "It reflects badly on the way that defence is financed that we still are unable to ensure that every serviceman and woman and their families are decently housed."

One wife, housed in London, told how worrying over repairs increased the strain on her family while her husband was away in Afghanistan.

"It took six months to replace the carpet and during that time my husband, who is used to living in a ditch, refused to use the living room," she added.

The MoD has pledged a further £3 billion for housing upgrades.