Shocking new figures show nearly one in four of the Ministry of Defence’s entire housing stock is not being used.

And this includes 2,622 homes that have not been lived in for more ­than THREE YEARS.

Of the 11,500 empty properties, 8,340 are available for occupancy.

Last night Labour MP Gareth Thomas blasted the situation as ­a ­scandal and called for the empty homes to be given to our homeless heroes.

He said: “I’m gobsmacked by these figures. It really is shocking that all these homes are sitting empty and not being used when they could be used to house homeless former members of the armed services.”

Defence bosses admit that up to four per cent of Britain’s estimated 320,000 homeless are ex-forces.

That means up to 13,000 veterans – many suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder – don’t have a home.

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