No special housing treatment for war veteran

Apr 18 2008 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

A SOLDIER from Tyneside who has fought in Iraq has appealed for help in his bid to move back to his home town and set up a family home.

Corporal Mark Atkinson has been told by housing agency Your Homes Newcastle that despite being shot at while serving his country abroad, he deserves no special treatment as he searches for a home for his partner and two children.

The soldier has served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Iraq and is now trying to find a three-bedroom home close to his father and other family in the east end of the city.

With nine years left to serve in the army, Cpl Atkinson said he wants to know his partner and children are safe while he is away on duty.

Earlier this year, the 29-year-old contacted Newcastle East and Wallsend MP Nick Brown asking him to step in, but because Cpl Atkinson is currently based in Rutland, Mr Brown passed him to local MP Alan Duncan, who is also Conservative shadow minister for Tyneside.

Mr Duncan has contacted Your Homes asking “why a man who would die for his country cannot be given a home near his father?”

Last night, Cpl Atkinson said: “I’m not after the red carpet treatment and I know there are issues here, but all I’m asking for is a home to raise my family in.

“Because of my army life I’ve never been able to make a really family home. Now I want that chance.

“We cannot afford to buy at the moment, the market is too volatile and the right mortgage is not easy to find.

“I’ve spent the last 12 years of my life serving for queen and country. And what I told the Your Homes people was I don’t want to be in another combat situation wondering what is happening to my family if they are stuck in some of the worst parts of Newcastle.”

The former St Mary’s Comprehensive pupil wants to set up home with his partner Donna Minto, who has been offered a place at Northumbria University to train as social worker, plus children Cameron, nine, and Katy, three.

Cpl Atkinson said he wants the chance to raise his family in the city in which he and his father are both Freemen, as members of the ropemakers’ guild.

A council spokesman, speaking on behalf of Your Homes Newcastle, said: “There are many significant pressures facing housing in the city at the moment and unfortunately we are not always in a position to meet everyone’s needs and aspirations.

“We aim to offer customers additional advice on other housing options in the city.”

Respect suffers

CORPORAL Atkinson’s struggle to set up home in Newcastle comes at a time when some people feel that respect for the Armed Forces in Britain is diminishing.

In March, RAF personnel at an air base in Cambridgeshire were advised not to wear uniform in public after reports of verbal abuse from members of the public.

The "ban" prompted a call from Gordon Brown for soldiers to wear their uniform with pride and for more respect to be shown for men and women who serve their country.

But it has been claimed the failings in the support given to soldiers extends to the Government itself.

Earlier this year, the Government was forced to introduce a sweeping package of healthcare reforms following outcry over the standards of care given to wounded soldiers.

And last month, 50 Gurkha ex-servicemen gathered outside Parliament to hand in their medals in protest at the Government’s refusal to allow them the right to live in Britain.