Last month, Keir Starmer made an announcement that sounded full of governmental largesse. From henceforth, the Prime Minister said, ex-servicemen would be exempt from local connection tests for social housing for ever, guaranteeing them a roof over their heads.
‘The military is a brilliant mechanism for social mobility… but it can be difficult to continue that upward trajectory when you leave’
Leaving aside the fact that the announcement did nothing to actually increase the amount of social housing available, or that the lack of housing generally means an ever-widening gap between civilian and military life, why would someone leaving the service need access to social housing for ever? Perhaps because the really hard thing about transitioning to civilian life after a career in the forces is finding a job.
If you join the Armed Forces at 16 and stay in it for 25 years, you’ll rack up a significant amount of experience, whether you remain a regular soldier or work your way up to becoming a non-commissioned officer (i.e.
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