MoD shelves accommodation plans

The MoD has shelved its plans to change the allocation of military housing after fierce criticism from Army families.

The Defence Secretary has halted the rollout and ordered a review amid fears the Modern Accommodation Offer (MAO) plan was so unpopular that it could have led to an exodus of officers.

Under the plan, serving personnel would have got subsidised housing based on their need, such as how many children they have, rather than their rank.

The decision to pause the MAO plan came amid fears about its effect on recruitment and retention at a time when the military is increasingly under pressure. The number of people leaving the Armed Forces jumped by almost a fifth at the end of last year.