'This Xmas, more families are in homes fit for heroes'

Defence Secretary beats target to improve poor military housing, vows to end scandal

- BY ALEXANDER BROWN Assistant Political Editor

THE Defence Secretary has vowed to end the scandal of poor military houses after improvements to 1,000 of them were completed ahead of schedule.

John Healey has now ordered a further 250 military properties to receive priority upgrades over the coming months - a 25% increase on the original target set out eight months ago.

The programme has led to upgrades of almost 700 properties in England, over 150 in Northern Ireland, over 100 in Wales and over 50 in Scotland.