Wales’ First Minister Eluned Morgan and MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, Henry Tufnell have welcomed the news that the Labour Government’s ‘Homes fit for Heroes’ programme has upgraded over 100 forces homes across the county – just a few months after the launch of Labour’s landmark £9 billion Defence Housing Strategy.

Labour’s Defence Secretary John Healey MP confirmed that the rapid first phase of the programme has seen the worst 1,000 homes across the UK given a complete makeover, with an ambitious end-of-year deadline.

Military families in Mid and South Pembrokeshire have seen their homes given new flooring, new boilers and heating systems, repairs to leaky roofs and new bathrooms, kitchens, windows and doors.

The refurbishment is part of a new ‘Consumer Charter’ commitments made by the Secretary of State to improve the experience of service families.

It comes as the Labour Government delivers on the Strategic Defence Review which was clear on the imperative for fixing forces housing and its impact on military morale, recruitment and retention.

All the Consumer Charter commitments are on course to be achieved, including the implementation of robust standards, ensuring service families can be confident they are moving into clean and functional homes, modernised policies making it easier to personalise homes, and the introduction of a named Housing Officer for every family to provide greater support.

These improvements are already being reflected in the results of monthly surveys of Service personnel, which show a clear upward trajectory in overall levels of satisfaction after years of decline under the Tories.

John Healey MP said: “Our Armed Forces and their families in Mid & South Pembrokeshire sacrifice so much for our country, the least they deserve is a safe and decent home. The work we’ve done to upgrade these homes means that more families can now enjoy Christmas together in homes that are fit for heroes.

“This is just the start of our ambitious work to upgrade tens of thousands of homes across the country, made possible by our landmark deal to bring 36,000 homes back into public ownership and backed by £9 billion investment. We are ending the decades of neglect and giving our dedicated Armed Forces families the homes they deserve.”

Wales’ First Minister, and Mid and West Wales Senedd Member, Eluned Morgan, said: “In Wales, I am proud of our record on supporting those who have served and those who continue to serve our country in the armed forces.”

“The accomplishment of refitting 100 homes for armed service personnel in Pembrokeshire builds on the fact that since 2011, the Welsh Labour government has helped to make more than 60,000 homes warmer through the NEST scheme.”

“By working together, we can achieve so much more and ensure our service families live in homes fit for heroes.”

Local MP Henry Tufnell added: “This is fantastic news for our armed forces personnel and their families in Pembrokeshire this Christmas.”

“They do so much in the service of our great country and it is why the Homes fit for Heroes scheme is so important in providing the homes they deserve.”