(2) how many armed forces personnel have been affected by the issue of local connection when looking for housing upon being discharged from service during the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement;
(3) how many armed forces personnel have reported being affected by housing shortages upon leaving the armed forces during the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.
The Ministry of Defence does not hold the information requested.
On “local connection”, my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning and I announced on 21 June 2007, Official Report, columns 107-08WS, that the Government will be amending the housing legislation to ensure that Service personnel are put on an equal footing with others applying for social housing. Also, the MOD continues to work closely with DCLG and other partners to help prevent new Service leavers becoming homeless, and to provide a safety net for existing vulnerable and homeless ex-Service personnel.
(2) what estimate he has made of the average length of calls made to the Modern Housing Solutions helpdesk over the period 1 November 2005 and 31 May 2007.
The Modern Housing Solutions (MHS) helpdesk has been in operation since MHS began delivering services under the Housing Prime Contract (HPC) in January 2006. Details of the number of calls received per day for the period 1 January 2006 to 31 May 2007 and details of the average length of calls made to the helpdesk for each day for the period 14 March 2006 to 31 May 2007 have been placed in the Library of the House. Details of the average call length before 14 March are not available.
During the tendering process for the HPC the Department provided companies with details of a trial helpdesk which ran for three years prior to the commencement of the HPC and covered service families accommodation (SFA) in the north of England. Details of that trial, including the number of calls were provided.
In recruiting helpdesk staff, Modern Housing Solutions takes account of previous experience, knowledge, skills, attitude and other competencies such as communication skills and a strong customer focus but no formal qualifications are required.
No service personnel are employed on the helpdesk. Information about previous membership of the armed services is not required from those working on the helpdesk, but there are several former service personnel (as well as spouses) employed within the helpdesk at different levels.
All helpdesk staff receive two weeks initial induction training as well as regular refresher training.