Quote: In an unprecedented move that reflects deepening anxiety in government about low morale among soldiers' relatives, the prime minister has invited 80 members of forces families, including wives and grandparents of serving soldiers, to Downing Street this week for a private reception to discuss their concerns.
The meeting on Thursday will coincide with an announcement by defence secretary Bob Ainsworth and leader of the house Harriet Harman of government action to help them gain better access to childcare, training and education and to help them search for work. Ministers will also announce within weeks a new "shared equity" scheme to help forces families buy their own homes. Unlike other shared equity projects, the forces families will be able to switch the equity to other properties as they are transferred from base to base. Initially ministers will pledge £20m with a guarantee to extend the scheme if it were to prove popular. | 
)