This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8413135.stm

The article has changed 32 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 25 Version 26
Cuts made to boost Afghan mission Cuts made to boost Afghan mission
(about 1 hour later)
The government is to buy 22 new Chinook helicopters and other equipment for Afghanistan but is making cuts to fund them, citing "acute cost pressures".The government is to buy 22 new Chinook helicopters and other equipment for Afghanistan but is making cuts to fund them, citing "acute cost pressures".
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said RAF Cottesmore in Rutland would be closed and defence jobs cut, to allow £900m more to be spent on the mission.Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said RAF Cottesmore in Rutland would be closed and defence jobs cut, to allow £900m more to be spent on the mission.
Other planned cuts will be brought forward, and some projects delayed.Other planned cuts will be brought forward, and some projects delayed.
Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox warned the cuts were the result of "catastrophic economic management".Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox warned the cuts were the result of "catastrophic economic management".
He said the country was in debt and was now "having our national security cut as a consequence". The money is coming from the Ministry of Defence's existing budget, which is already overspent, and more cuts could be made next year.
We like to support the British defence industry - but when it comes to the crunch, we have to buy the best equipment that money can buy for our armed services Defence Minister Quentin Davies RAF Kinloss hit by defence cuts MoD accused of 'buy now pay later' MP attacks Cottesmore closure plan
Mr Fox said the country was in debt and was now "having our national security cut as a consequence".
"Who is paying for [the government's] incompetence? Our brave armed forces," he said."Who is paying for [the government's] incompetence? Our brave armed forces," he said.
Mr Ainsworth told the House of Commons that there was no overall cut in the £35.4bn defence budget, but that they needed to make "tough choices" to reprioritise spending.Mr Ainsworth told the House of Commons that there was no overall cut in the £35.4bn defence budget, but that they needed to make "tough choices" to reprioritise spending.
"Acute cost pressures remain," he said."Acute cost pressures remain," he said.
Navy ships removed Mr Ainsworth said the pressure on public finances meant they had to match the defence programme to available resources. The cuts announced include:
He said the £900m spend over three years would also provide more body armour, night vision goggles, tactical radios, communications facilities for special forces, surveillance capabilities, an additional C17 transport aircraft and defensive kit for the Hercules fleet. • Closure of RAF Cottesmore in Rutland - the biggest employer in the county - and immediate loss of one squadron of Harrier jets, with the rest moving to RAF Wittering before being phased out earlier than the previously planned withdrawal date of 2018.
Among the other cost-cutting measures was the withdrawal of the Nimrod MR2 , based at RAF Kinloss in Moray, one year earlier than expected and the slowing of the introduction of the Nimrod MRA4. • 2,500 job cuts in armed forces personnel the MoD says "are not critical to current operations". To be done by slowing recruitment and preventing extensions to service, rather than redundancies
The defence secretary also announced a temporary reduction in some aspects of army training and the removal from service of one Navy survey ship and one mine-hunter, as well as the cancellation of a competition for new unprotected utility vehicles. • Independent review to look into cutting more civilian defence jobs
We like to support the British defence industry - but when it comes to the crunch, we have to buy the best equipment that money can buy for our armed services Defence Minister Quentin Davies class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/north_east/8413014.stm">RAF Kinloss 'could be mothballed' class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8413789.stm">MoD accused of 'buy now pay later' • Withdrawal of the Nimrod MR2 in March 2010, one year earlier than expected, and the slowing of the introduction of the Nimrod MRA4 to 2012 - which will hit RAF Kinloss in Moray
Jobs will be cut among both MoD civilians and the armed forces. • Plan to reduce the RAF Tornado and Harrier force by a further one or two squadrons, with final decisions to be taken in the defence review due next year. RAF Lossiemouth, in Moray, is the RAF's largest Tornado GR4s base
• Temporary reduction in some aspects of army training
• Earlier than planned removal from service of one Royal Navy survey ship and one mine-hunter. Navy's Lynx and Merlin Mk1 helicopters also to be "retired" sooner than planned
Mr Ainsworth said the changes would ensure that "those who put themselves in harm's way on our behalf remain properly supported and resourced".
But BBC political correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti said opposition politicians wanted more detail about exactly where the cuts would come and voiced scepticism about much each would save.
Mr Ainsworth said the new three-year £900m spending plans included:
• Twenty two new Chinook helicopters - the first 10 due to be ready by 2012/13. Takes the total fleet from 48 to 70
• An improved "close combat equipment package" with "state of the art" body armour and night vision goggles being made available to 50% more troops
• More Bowman tactical radios for troops and £80m for special forces communications
• One additional C17 transport aircraft
• The number of Reaper drones - unmanned surveillance aircraft - to be doubled as part of a increased funding to improve intelligence and surveillance
• improvements to the defensive and support arrangements for the RAF Hercules heavy-lift fleet
Mr Ainsworth said the money announced on Tuesday was on top of £280m coming from the Treasury reserve to increase the number of Husky and Jackal vehicles, and kit to tackle roadside bombs - announced by the prime minister on Monday.Mr Ainsworth said the money announced on Tuesday was on top of £280m coming from the Treasury reserve to increase the number of Husky and Jackal vehicles, and kit to tackle roadside bombs - announced by the prime minister on Monday.
This was separate again to money being spent by the Treasury on urgent operational requirements (UORs), the MoD said.This was separate again to money being spent by the Treasury on urgent operational requirements (UORs), the MoD said.
The defence secretary said the core defence budget had come under pressure from rising fuel and utility prices, pay and pension costs,and the growth in the price of equipment programmes - some of which had doubled in cost since original estimates. The defence secretary said the core defence budget had come under pressure from rising fuel and utility prices, pay and pension costs, and the growth in the price of equipment programmes - some of which had doubled in cost since original estimates.
As part of the cuts the Harrier jets based at RAF Cottesmore will move to RAF Wittering before being phased out of service altogether - earlier than the previously planned withdrawal date of 2018.As part of the cuts the Harrier jets based at RAF Cottesmore will move to RAF Wittering before being phased out of service altogether - earlier than the previously planned withdrawal date of 2018.
The Tornado fighter jet force based at RAF Lossiemouth, in Moray, and RAF Marham in Norfolk will also lose one squadron.
Mr Ainsworth's announcement came after months of criticism over the number of helicopters in operation in Helmand, in Afghanistan.Mr Ainsworth's announcement came after months of criticism over the number of helicopters in operation in Helmand, in Afghanistan.
In total, the Chinook fleet will increase in size from 48 to 70, and the first 10 helicopters are expected to be ready by 2012/2013.
Earlier Mr Ainsworth said: "Helicopter capability has already doubled in the last three years and this future strategy builds on this, ensuring that our armed forces have the very best resources at their disposal."
ANALYSIS By Frank Gardner, BBC security correspondentANALYSIS By Frank Gardner, BBC security correspondent
The helicopters are going to make a big difference to British operations in Helmand. However much jam you spread on it, they are short of helicopters.The helicopters are going to make a big difference to British operations in Helmand. However much jam you spread on it, they are short of helicopters.
The trouble is they aren't actually going to be ready until 2012/2013. A lot of people who will say better late than never but we really could do with them now and we could have done with them in the last three years, which has seen increasingly intense fighting.The trouble is they aren't actually going to be ready until 2012/2013. A lot of people who will say better late than never but we really could do with them now and we could have done with them in the last three years, which has seen increasingly intense fighting.
The Chinook is an old airframe but it's being upgraded; it has a digital cockpit. It's really the battle horse of the Afghanistan operation. These things can carry a large number of men and equipment. They are very fast, can do casualty evacuation and they are the most in-demand helicopter for ferrying people, with incredibly brave RAF crews.The Chinook is an old airframe but it's being upgraded; it has a digital cockpit. It's really the battle horse of the Afghanistan operation. These things can carry a large number of men and equipment. They are very fast, can do casualty evacuation and they are the most in-demand helicopter for ferrying people, with incredibly brave RAF crews.
There are more cuts to come and they have said to the MoD you have got to find this money yourselves.There are more cuts to come and they have said to the MoD you have got to find this money yourselves.
This comes down to choosing between the requirements of Afghanistan today and winning that campaign or whether you take a big, long look at what are the big future threats.This comes down to choosing between the requirements of Afghanistan today and winning that campaign or whether you take a big, long look at what are the big future threats.
The Chinooks will be manufactured in the US by Boeing, but maintenance and repairs will provide "a lot of work" at Vector Aerospace in Gosport, Hampshire, said Defence Minister Quentin Davies.The Chinooks will be manufactured in the US by Boeing, but maintenance and repairs will provide "a lot of work" at Vector Aerospace in Gosport, Hampshire, said Defence Minister Quentin Davies.
He was criticised on Tuesday by Defence Select Committee MPs for not giving the full contract to a British firm.He was criticised on Tuesday by Defence Select Committee MPs for not giving the full contract to a British firm.
He told them: "We have to buy the best equipment that money can buy for our armed services. We are buying Chinook because Chinook is simply an incomparable aircraft."He told them: "We have to buy the best equipment that money can buy for our armed services. We are buying Chinook because Chinook is simply an incomparable aircraft."
Commander Joint Helicopter Command, Rear Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt, said Chinooks had proved "invaluable" on operations.Commander Joint Helicopter Command, Rear Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt, said Chinooks had proved "invaluable" on operations.
The RAF will fly the Chinooks in Afghanistan alongside Merlin helicopters which arrived in the country last month. Their arrival will mean the ageing Sea Kings, used by the RAF and Royal Navy, can be retired early.The RAF will fly the Chinooks in Afghanistan alongside Merlin helicopters which arrived in the country last month. Their arrival will mean the ageing Sea Kings, used by the RAF and Royal Navy, can be retired early.
The leader of Rutland County Council, councillor Roger Begy, said he was "very concerned" about the prospect of RAF Cottesmore closing earlier than first thought.
He said they were working with the RAF - the area's biggest employer - to keep skills on the site and in the county.
Explosive devicesExplosive devices
With the recession meaning UK public finances now show a deficit of £178bn, some cost-saving measures have been announced and more huge cuts are expected.With the recession meaning UK public finances now show a deficit of £178bn, some cost-saving measures have been announced and more huge cuts are expected.
After Chancellor Alistair Darling's pre-Budget report last week the Institute of Fiscal Studies predicted that defence, higher education, transport and housing were most likely to be hit, in order to protect schools and hospitals.After Chancellor Alistair Darling's pre-Budget report last week the Institute of Fiscal Studies predicted that defence, higher education, transport and housing were most likely to be hit, in order to protect schools and hospitals.
Mr Davies told the BBC decisions always had to be made about what the government wanted and what it could afford.Mr Davies told the BBC decisions always had to be made about what the government wanted and what it could afford.
Asked about the possibility of RAF airbase closures, he said: "If we can get by with fewer bases that will be a very good thing to do. We don't have bases for the sake of having bases; they are not an end in themselves."Asked about the possibility of RAF airbase closures, he said: "If we can get by with fewer bases that will be a very good thing to do. We don't have bases for the sake of having bases; they are not an end in themselves."
Director of the Royal United Services Institute Professor Michael Clarke said the decisions were being made in the absence of a defence review, which had not happened for 12 years and was not due until after the general election.Director of the Royal United Services Institute Professor Michael Clarke said the decisions were being made in the absence of a defence review, which had not happened for 12 years and was not due until after the general election.
The announcement came as a report by the National Audit Office accused the MoD of driving up projects' overall budgets through short-term cost-cutting.The announcement came as a report by the National Audit Office accused the MoD of driving up projects' overall budgets through short-term cost-cutting.
On Monday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced £150m would be spent on tackling improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan - which have killed 122 of the 237 British service personnel to have died there.On Monday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced £150m would be spent on tackling improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan - which have killed 122 of the 237 British service personnel to have died there.
The body of the soldier who became the 100th British fatality in Afghanistan this year, Lance Corporal Adam Drane, has been returned to the UK.The body of the soldier who became the 100th British fatality in Afghanistan this year, Lance Corporal Adam Drane, has been returned to the UK.
Meanwhile, the first of 500 extra British troops to be deployed to Afghanistan have arrived in the country.Meanwhile, the first of 500 extra British troops to be deployed to Afghanistan have arrived in the country.
Have you or any of your family served in Afghanistan? Are you affected by issues raised in this story?Have you or any of your family served in Afghanistan? Are you affected by issues raised in this story?
Send your comments using the post form below.Send your comments using the post form below.
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions