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/england/leicestershire/8414300.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| MP attacks RAF base closure plan | MP attacks RAF base closure plan |
| (2 days later) | |
| Plans to close RAF Cottesmore in Rutland to pay for new helicopters for use in Afghanistan have been attacked by the local MP. | Plans to close RAF Cottesmore in Rutland to pay for new helicopters for use in Afghanistan have been attacked by the local MP. |
| Conservative MP for Rutland and Melton Alan Duncan said he would oppose the government plan to close the base to help raise cash for 22 new Chinooks. | Conservative MP for Rutland and Melton Alan Duncan said he would oppose the government plan to close the base to help raise cash for 22 new Chinooks. |
| Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth announced the closure to the House of Commons along with other cutbacks. | Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth announced the closure to the House of Commons along with other cutbacks. |
| The base has about 3,500 staff and is the county's largest employer. | The base has about 3,500 staff and is the county's largest employer. |
| The Harrier jets based at RAF Cottesmore will move to RAF Wittering, in Cambridgeshire, before being phased out of service altogether, earlier than the previously planned withdrawal date of 2018. | The Harrier jets based at RAF Cottesmore will move to RAF Wittering, in Cambridgeshire, before being phased out of service altogether, earlier than the previously planned withdrawal date of 2018. |
| The people of Rutland have an economic as well as emotional attachment to the base, and I will fight to keep it open Alan Duncan, MP for Rutland and Melton | The people of Rutland have an economic as well as emotional attachment to the base, and I will fight to keep it open Alan Duncan, MP for Rutland and Melton |
| Mr Duncan said: "The base still has strategic value and I oppose any plans for its closure in the strongest possible terms. | Mr Duncan said: "The base still has strategic value and I oppose any plans for its closure in the strongest possible terms. |
| "It is as a result of a catastrophic failure of planning on the government's part. | "It is as a result of a catastrophic failure of planning on the government's part. |
| "RAF Cottesmore is being sacrificed to fund the war in Afghanistan because the Treasury are simply not funding current operations, contrary to what the prime minister said yesterday. | "RAF Cottesmore is being sacrificed to fund the war in Afghanistan because the Treasury are simply not funding current operations, contrary to what the prime minister said yesterday. |
| "The government needs to get a grip on the situation so that the Royal Air Force, and the nation's long-term security, is not harmed by short-sighted base closures. | "The government needs to get a grip on the situation so that the Royal Air Force, and the nation's long-term security, is not harmed by short-sighted base closures. |
| Community 'shocked' | Community 'shocked' |
| "The people of Rutland have an economic as well as emotional attachment to the base, and I will fight to keep it open." | "The people of Rutland have an economic as well as emotional attachment to the base, and I will fight to keep it open." |
| The leader of Rutland County Council, Roger Beggy, said: "It involves a significant part of our community. It provides employment, it provides spending in our local towns. | The leader of Rutland County Council, Roger Beggy, said: "It involves a significant part of our community. It provides employment, it provides spending in our local towns. |
| "And the RAF has a tremendous heritage in Rutland over the years - this will come as a major blow." | "And the RAF has a tremendous heritage in Rutland over the years - this will come as a major blow." |
| Caroline Hodges is chairman of the Oakham board of trade. | Caroline Hodges is chairman of the Oakham board of trade. |
| "I think it is a bit of a shock," she said. "It has been mentioned on several occasions that Cottesmore might go but we were assured that it wouldn't. | "I think it is a bit of a shock," she said. "It has been mentioned on several occasions that Cottesmore might go but we were assured that it wouldn't. |
| "Then we hear today that this is the one place the axe is going to fall, is rather a shame especially for the surrounding area." | "Then we hear today that this is the one place the axe is going to fall, is rather a shame especially for the surrounding area." |
| The measures reflect our stated priority of support for the Afghan campaign Bob Ainsworth href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/house_of_commons/newsid_8413000/8413534.stm?t=812s">Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth's statement in the Commons: From BBC Democracy Live | |
| The defence secretary's announcement comes after months of criticism over the number of helicopters in operation in Helmand, Afghanistan. | The defence secretary's announcement comes after months of criticism over the number of helicopters in operation in Helmand, Afghanistan. |
| In total, the Chinook fleet will increase in size from 48 to 70. | In total, the Chinook fleet will increase in size from 48 to 70. |
| But the money will have to come out of the Ministry of Defence's existing budget, which is already overspent. | But the money will have to come out of the Ministry of Defence's existing budget, which is already overspent. |
| 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." | 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." |
| RAF Cottesmore opened in 1938 and during the 1960s was the base for nuclear capable Vulcan bombers. | RAF Cottesmore opened in 1938 and during the 1960s was the base for nuclear capable Vulcan bombers. |
| It has been home to Harriers since 1999 and these have recently served in Afghanistan. | It has been home to Harriers since 1999 and these have recently served in Afghanistan. |
| The planes were developed in the early 1960s and had been due leave service in 2018 but this is now likely to be brought forward. | The planes were developed in the early 1960s and had been due leave service in 2018 but this is now likely to be brought forward. |