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Spending Review: David Cameron 'intervenes on defence' | Spending Review: David Cameron 'intervenes on defence' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The budget for the Ministry of Defence has been finalised after a personal intervention by Prime Minister David Cameron, the BBC has learned. | The budget for the Ministry of Defence has been finalised after a personal intervention by Prime Minister David Cameron, the BBC has learned. |
Defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the MoD expected a 7% budget cut, but the Treasury raised this to 10%. | Defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the MoD expected a 7% budget cut, but the Treasury raised this to 10%. |
However, the final figure is thought to be below 10% following Mr Cameron's intervention, our correspondent added. | However, the final figure is thought to be below 10% following Mr Cameron's intervention, our correspondent added. |
Mr Cameron felt defence chiefs should have "enough money to do their job", BBC reporter Adam Fleming said. | Mr Cameron felt defence chiefs should have "enough money to do their job", BBC reporter Adam Fleming said. |
Details of spending cuts are due to be published next week. | Details of spending cuts are due to be published next week. |
According to BBC politics reporter Adam Fleming, a senior Number 10 source claimed the review would not see any substantial cuts made to the number of Army personnel. | According to BBC politics reporter Adam Fleming, a senior Number 10 source claimed the review would not see any substantial cuts made to the number of Army personnel. |
The source said it would also see £750m saved over four years on Trident, although was not clear how those savings would be made. | The source said it would also see £750m saved over four years on Trident, although was not clear how those savings would be made. |
Mr Cameron had the "highest respect" for his defence chiefs, and had an "excellent relationship" with Defence Secretary Liam Fox, the source added. | Mr Cameron had the "highest respect" for his defence chiefs, and had an "excellent relationship" with Defence Secretary Liam Fox, the source added. |
'Can live with' | |
There has been intense debate inside government about where the cuts should fall within the defence budget. | There has been intense debate inside government about where the cuts should fall within the defence budget. |
Initial demands by the Treasury were for reductions of between 10% and 20%, with many options put before the National Security Council. | Initial demands by the Treasury were for reductions of between 10% and 20%, with many options put before the National Security Council. |
Earlier this week it was believed at the MoD that a settlement was close at about 7%, but the Treasury came back demanding cuts of 10%. | Earlier this week it was believed at the MoD that a settlement was close at about 7%, but the Treasury came back demanding cuts of 10%. |
Military chiefs said that would damage the front line in Afghanistan, something Mr Cameron had previously made clear he was not prepared to do. | Military chiefs said that would damage the front line in Afghanistan, something Mr Cameron had previously made clear he was not prepared to do. |
Caroline Wyatt says that although the exact settlement figure has not been revealed, it is something the defence secretary "can live with". | Caroline Wyatt says that although the exact settlement figure has not been revealed, it is something the defence secretary "can live with". |
The BBC understands that both planned aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, will be built - but the Royal Navy stands to lose a significant portion of its surface fleet, while the order for the joint strike fighters for the carriers will be scaled down substantially. | |
The carriers are being constructed in sections in Scotland, Portsmouth and north Devon. | |
It is believed that the Joint RAF/Fleet Air Arm Harrier force may face the axe, while some squadrons of RAF Tornado jets could be saved instead - although some air force bases will close. | |
The Army may have to cut up to 7,000 or so personnel over the next five years, while the MoD itself could face substantial cuts to its civilian staff. | |
Sources say £750m will be saved over four years on the Trident nuclear deterrent missile system but it is not yet clear how those savings will be made. |