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Jobs could go to fund Afghan war Jobs could go to fund Afghan war
(about 1 hour later)
The defence secretary is due to outline how he plans to pay for extra equipment for British operations in Afghanistan by making cuts elsewhere.The defence secretary is due to outline how he plans to pay for extra equipment for British operations in Afghanistan by making cuts elsewhere.
An RAF base could be shut and thousands of defence jobs lost in Whitehall and also within the armed forces.An RAF base could be shut and thousands of defence jobs lost in Whitehall and also within the armed forces.
Bob Ainsworth is expected to tell MPs more than 20 Chinook helicopters are being ordered over the next 10 years.Bob Ainsworth is expected to tell MPs more than 20 Chinook helicopters are being ordered over the next 10 years.
It comes as a report accuses the MoD of driving up projects' overall budgets through short-term cost-cutting.It comes as a report accuses the MoD of driving up projects' overall budgets through short-term cost-cutting.
Tough negotiationsTough negotiations
BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt says the government is expected to announce it is buying the Chinooks from Boeing after months of criticism over the number of helicopters in operation in Helmand, in Afghanistan.BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt says the government is expected to announce it is buying the Chinooks from Boeing after months of criticism over the number of helicopters in operation in Helmand, in Afghanistan.
Some could be sent to the front line there to help British forces and an extra C17 transport plane could also be on the cards.Some could be sent to the front line there to help British forces and an extra C17 transport plane could also be on the cards.
The MoD has a multi-billion pound budgetary black hole which it is trying to fix with a 'save now, pay later' approach Amyas MorseNational Audit OfficeThe MoD has a multi-billion pound budgetary black hole which it is trying to fix with a 'save now, pay later' approach Amyas MorseNational Audit Office
But the money will have to come out of the Ministry of Defence's existing budget, which is already overspent, our correspondent adds.But the money will have to come out of the Ministry of Defence's existing budget, which is already overspent, our correspondent adds.
Mr Ainsworth is likely to announce cuts to the existing Harrier and Tornado fighter jet fleet, and a cutback of Nimrod reconnaissance aircraft.Mr Ainsworth is likely to announce cuts to the existing Harrier and Tornado fighter jet fleet, and a cutback of Nimrod reconnaissance aircraft.
The final decision will end months of tough negotiations over the 2010 spending round.The final decision will end months of tough negotiations over the 2010 spending round.
But there is more pain ahead in defence with a public spending squeeze still to come on top of an equipment budget that is already heavily overspent, says our correspondent.But there is more pain ahead in defence with a public spending squeeze still to come on top of an equipment budget that is already heavily overspent, says our correspondent.
'Negative picture''Negative picture'
Meanwhile, the spending watchdog, the National Audit Office (NAO), has criticised the Ministry of Defence for trying to clear a £36bn deficit with a "save now, pay later" approach.Meanwhile, the spending watchdog, the National Audit Office (NAO), has criticised the Ministry of Defence for trying to clear a £36bn deficit with a "save now, pay later" approach.
The NAO cited the example of the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier which has been put back to save £450m over four years - but says that will eventually increase costs by £1.12bn.The NAO cited the example of the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier which has been put back to save £450m over four years - but says that will eventually increase costs by £1.12bn.
Its report said the cost of the 15 biggest military projects had increased by £1.2bn in 2008-9 alone, and £733m of that was down to deliberate delays.Its report said the cost of the 15 biggest military projects had increased by £1.2bn in 2008-9 alone, and £733m of that was down to deliberate delays.
Auditor general Amyas Morse said: "The MoD has a multi-billion pound budgetary black hole which it is trying to fix with a 'save now, pay later' approach.Auditor general Amyas Morse said: "The MoD has a multi-billion pound budgetary black hole which it is trying to fix with a 'save now, pay later' approach.
"This gives a misleadingly negative picture of how well some major projects in the MoD are managed, represents poor value for money and heightens the risk that the equipment our armed forces require will not be available when it is needed or in the quantities promised.""This gives a misleadingly negative picture of how well some major projects in the MoD are managed, represents poor value for money and heightens the risk that the equipment our armed forces require will not be available when it is needed or in the quantities promised."
RepatriationRepatriation
Commons public accounts committee chairman Edward Leigh said the MoD was "building up trouble for the future".Commons public accounts committee chairman Edward Leigh said the MoD was "building up trouble for the future".
Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox added: "This constant failure to contain cost and keep to timetable means that taxpayers' money is being wasted and our armed forces are being denied vital equipment which has meant a reduction in capability. It is shambolic."Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox added: "This constant failure to contain cost and keep to timetable means that taxpayers' money is being wasted and our armed forces are being denied vital equipment which has meant a reduction in capability. It is shambolic."
On Monday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced £150m would be spent on tackling improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan.On Monday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced £150m would be spent on tackling improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan.
Some 122 of the 237 British service personnel who have died in Afghanistan have been killed by explosives, most of them IEDs.Some 122 of the 237 British service personnel who have died in Afghanistan have been killed by explosives, most of them IEDs.
The body of the soldier who was the 100th British fatality in Afghanistan this year, Lance Corporal Adam Drane, is to be returned to the UK later. The body of the soldier who became the 100th British fatality in Afghanistan this year, Lance Corporal Adam Drane, is to be returned to the UK later.
Meanwhile, the first of 500 extra British troops to be deployed to Afghanistan have arrived in the country.
The soldiers from The 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh (Royal Welsh Fusiliers) landed at 05.05 local time (00.35 GMT).