Public concerned about quality of life for Armed Forces at time of defence cuts
19 October 2010
A striking majority of people, three quarters (75%), are worried that the quality of life for the Armed Forces and their families will suffer due to cuts to the defence budget, says a poll released today. The findings come as the Government publishes its Strategic Defence and Security Review with widespread implications for the Armed Forces.
The poll for The Royal British Legion was conducted last weekend (15-17 October) by the polling consultancy ComRes. It also reveals that 71% of those questioned felt that Armed Forces accommodation is often sub-standard and should be the subject of more investment, while barely half (51%) said they trusted the Government to protect Armed Forces housing from cuts in public spending.
The figures are consistent with earlier research carried out for the Legion which showed that 78% of people agreed that Armed Forces families deserve to live in high quality accommodation, and 80% believed that the Government should make bringing Armed Forces accommodation up to the highest standard more of a priority.
The poll demonstrates the strength of feeling among the public that Britain's Armed Forces and their families should receive the highest standards of support, the Legion says.
"The British public obviously feels very strongly about this," said Chris Simpkins, Director General of The Royal British Legion.
"In survey after survey, the British public confirms its commitment to the Military Covenant," he added. "We are calling on the Government to do the same, by ensuring that the quality of life for Service personnel and their families is not decayed by spending cuts."
A striking 87% of respondents said that as a general rule, money generated from the sale of Armed Forces housing should be reinvested in Armed Forces housing. A similar strength of feeling (85%) said the proceeds from the sale of the Chelsea Barracks in London should be reinvested in Armed Forces accommodation.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
ComRes interviewed 1,001 GB adults by telephone between
15 and 17 October 2010. Data were weighted to be representative
demographically of all GB adults. ComRes is a member of the British
Polling Council and abides by its rules (www.britishpollingcouncil.org).
Data tables may be found at www.comres.co.uk. Previous
research was carried out in June and April 2010.
For further information please contact:
Susan Cottam, Public Relations Officer, The Royal British
Legion
T: 020 3207 2477 M: 07775 017 889 E: scottam@britishlegion.org.uk
