5 times more complaints on Scottish forces accommodation than housing associations - Alexander

2.46.27pm GMT Tue 29th Dec 2009

The annual percentage of complaints received by the company which operates Service Family Accommodation (SFA) in Scotland is over five times as high as that of a housing association, according to research by the Liberal Democrats.

Turner Estate Solutions, which runs SFA in Scotland, received an average of 5.6 complaints a month or 67 a year regarding the 3000 properties it runs - a rate of 2.2%.

However, for both Lanarkshire Housing Association and Abertay Housing Association, which together have a similar number of properties, this figure was 0.4%.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, Danny Alexander said:Danny Alexander: Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey

"It is alarming that there is such a high proportion of complaints about forces family accommodation. The Government must explain why this figure is so much higher than at some housing associations.

"With their loved ones risking their lives on the front line, the least these families deserve is a decent standard of accommodation.

"Ministers must act now to improve both the conditions and pay which we provide to our brave service men and women and their families."

Notes:

1. The figures regarding Service Families Accommodation in Scotland were received in answer to a Parliamentary Question: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmhansrd/cm091207/text/91207w0019.htm#09120758001383

2. The figures for Lanarkshire Housing Association - which has around 1000 units - can be found on p5 of their annual report: http://www.lanarkshireha.com/data%5Cdownloads%5CAnnual%20Report%202009.pdf

3. Abertay Housing Association - which has around 1800 units - received 7 complaints in 08-09

http://www.abertayha.co.uk/plugins/spaw2/uploads/files/Annual%20Report%202009.pdf