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U-turn on TA training cutbacks Brown U-turn on territorial cuts
(about 7 hours later)
The prime minister has abandoned plans to impose a £17.5m cut to the training budget of the Territorial Army, Labour MPs have told the BBC.The prime minister has abandoned plans to impose a £17.5m cut to the training budget of the Territorial Army, Labour MPs have told the BBC.
The U-turn came after Gordon Brown spoke to former defence secretary John Reid, amid calls from his own party to intervene and reverse the cutbacks.The U-turn came after Gordon Brown spoke to former defence secretary John Reid, amid calls from his own party to intervene and reverse the cutbacks.
The Tories said the episode had been a "catastrophe" and underlined Labour's lack of understanding for the army.The Tories said the episode had been a "catastrophe" and underlined Labour's lack of understanding for the army.
On Monday, the government reduced the scale of the cuts from £20m to £17.5m.On Monday, the government reduced the scale of the cuts from £20m to £17.5m.
It backtracked on plans to suspend all routine TA training for six months and offered a compromise of one night's training each month for personnel not due to be deployed to Afghanistan.It backtracked on plans to suspend all routine TA training for six months and offered a compromise of one night's training each month for personnel not due to be deployed to Afghanistan.
It is now understood the TA training budget will remain untouched, meaning most units will continue to train one night a week, as well as one weekend a month.It is now understood the TA training budget will remain untouched, meaning most units will continue to train one night a week, as well as one weekend a month.
TA FACTS The TA is made up of volunteers who commit their spare time to training as soldiers and working with the regular army. It is divided into independent units who recruit locally and national units who recruit across the UK. All TA soldiers who are mobilised have their civilian jobs legally protectedTA FACTS The TA is made up of volunteers who commit their spare time to training as soldiers and working with the regular army. It is divided into independent units who recruit locally and national units who recruit across the UK. All TA soldiers who are mobilised have their civilian jobs legally protected
The training cutbacks were approved by military chiefs earlier this year to ensure resources were prioritised for the regular army.The training cutbacks were approved by military chiefs earlier this year to ensure resources were prioritised for the regular army.
However Mr Brown changed his mind after nearly a dozen Labour MPs publicly criticised the scaling back. The issue has been raised at the last two prime minister's questions - including by Conservative leader David Cameron himself at last week's sessions.
Conservative leader David Cameron also raised concerns at last week's Prime Minister's Questions. At the time Mr Brown said those heading to Afghanistan would get the training required and said the cuts were because army chiefs wanted to focus on the regular army.
But with a Conservative debate on the issue due on Wednesday afternoon, and nearly a dozen Labour MPs criticising the decision, Mr Brown has changed his mind
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said Labour MPs were willing to take Mr Brown on because his authority had been "gravely weakened" by his handling of the expenses scandal. He said the PM had been forced into a "complete U-turn" over the TA.
Afghanistan
Mr Reid and former defence aide Eric Joyce - who resigned last month over concerns over military policy - were said to be among those expressing concern about the possible impact on recruitment and retention of territorials.Mr Reid and former defence aide Eric Joyce - who resigned last month over concerns over military policy - were said to be among those expressing concern about the possible impact on recruitment and retention of territorials.
Mr Joyce told the BBC Mr Brown had made the "right decision" and it was to his credit that he had acted so quickly.Mr Joyce told the BBC Mr Brown had made the "right decision" and it was to his credit that he had acted so quickly.
He conceded that the cuts would have to be found from elsewhere but told the BBC it was a "relatively small" amount of money.He conceded that the cuts would have to be found from elsewhere but told the BBC it was a "relatively small" amount of money.
He said: "Ultimately it's procurement which will produce the kind of savings we'll need... to keep the right amount of operational capacity on the ground, particularly in Afghanistan."He said: "Ultimately it's procurement which will produce the kind of savings we'll need... to keep the right amount of operational capacity on the ground, particularly in Afghanistan."
Mr Reid told the BBC he was "absolutely delighted" Mr Brown had "listened to those of us who said it was a wrong thing to do".Mr Reid told the BBC he was "absolutely delighted" Mr Brown had "listened to those of us who said it was a wrong thing to do".
'Political football'
Earlier, another Labour MP, Lindsay Hoyle, called on Mr Brown to intervene due to the scale of opposition.Earlier, another Labour MP, Lindsay Hoyle, called on Mr Brown to intervene due to the scale of opposition.
He also likened the situation to that of the Gurkhas, on which the government had to do a U-turn after it lost a Commons vote on their settlement rights in April.He also likened the situation to that of the Gurkhas, on which the government had to do a U-turn after it lost a Commons vote on their settlement rights in April.
Conservative defence spokesman Liam Fox said the episode had been a "catastrophe" for Labour and illustrated the "lack of understanding" they had of the armed forces.Conservative defence spokesman Liam Fox said the episode had been a "catastrophe" for Labour and illustrated the "lack of understanding" they had of the armed forces.
He added: "Whilst it is another embarrassment for Gordon Brown, it is a victory for the forces of common sense, led by David Cameron and the Conservatives, which have saved the TA from what was a sad and humiliating policy decision."He added: "Whilst it is another embarrassment for Gordon Brown, it is a victory for the forces of common sense, led by David Cameron and the Conservatives, which have saved the TA from what was a sad and humiliating policy decision."
Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Nick Harvey said: "The state of the TA is much too important to be used as a political football in this way.Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Nick Harvey said: "The state of the TA is much too important to be used as a political football in this way.
"It was a shocking error of judgment for the Government to have contemplated this cut in the first place.""It was a shocking error of judgment for the Government to have contemplated this cut in the first place."