http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7115903.stm
Forty per cent of the £5bn set aside to improve military housing will be spent on renting the buildings from a private landlord, the BBC has learned.
The Ministry of Defence has said the money would be spent on upgrading accommodation over the next 10 years.
But figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show £2bn will be spent renting back premises sold off by the state in 1996.
The MoD said it was "contractually obliged" to pay the private landlord.
'Below market rate'
In July, Defence Secretary Des Browne said the MoD planned to spend the £5bn on "upgrading and maintaining" accommodation.
But the BBC freedom of information (FOI) request has revealed that property developer Annington Homes will receive almost £2bn of that sum.
The Conservative government sold most of the defence housing stock to Annington in 1996 for £1.6bn.
Nice little earner.
Forty per cent of the £5bn set aside to improve military housing will be spent on renting the buildings from a private landlord, the BBC has learned.
The Ministry of Defence has said the money would be spent on upgrading accommodation over the next 10 years.
But figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show £2bn will be spent renting back premises sold off by the state in 1996.
The MoD said it was "contractually obliged" to pay the private landlord.
'Below market rate'
In July, Defence Secretary Des Browne said the MoD planned to spend the £5bn on "upgrading and maintaining" accommodation.
But the BBC freedom of information (FOI) request has revealed that property developer Annington Homes will receive almost £2bn of that sum.
The Conservative government sold most of the defence housing stock to Annington in 1996 for £1.6bn.
Nice little earner.
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