This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-14725985
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
RAF and Army personnel to receive redundancy notices | RAF and Army personnel to receive redundancy notices |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Up to 1,000 RAF and 1,000 Army personnel will be told on Thursday whether they are being made redundant. | Up to 1,000 RAF and 1,000 Army personnel will be told on Thursday whether they are being made redundant. |
RAF crews supporting operations in Libya are at risk, although nobody in Libya or its airspace or territorial waters will face compulsory redundancy. | RAF crews supporting operations in Libya are at risk, although nobody in Libya or its airspace or territorial waters will face compulsory redundancy. |
It is the first phase of armed forces job cuts announced in the strategic defence and security review. | It is the first phase of armed forces job cuts announced in the strategic defence and security review. |
Shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy called it a "peculiar" way to thank RAF ground crews after the Libya campaign. | Shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy called it a "peculiar" way to thank RAF ground crews after the Libya campaign. |
But a Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "Reducing numbers through redundancy is essential if we are to have smaller armed forces that deliver the best possible operational capability. | But a Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "Reducing numbers through redundancy is essential if we are to have smaller armed forces that deliver the best possible operational capability. |
"We need to structure our forces to ensure that they are sufficiently flexible and adaptable to meet the demands of an uncertain future." | "We need to structure our forces to ensure that they are sufficiently flexible and adaptable to meet the demands of an uncertain future." |
The armed forces are looking to shed 22,000 posts over the next four years - more than half through redundancies. | The armed forces are looking to shed 22,000 posts over the next four years - more than half through redundancies. |
Front-line 'exempt' | Front-line 'exempt' |
Many of the redundancies were likely to be compulsory, the BBC's defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said. | Many of the redundancies were likely to be compulsory, the BBC's defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said. |
However, the Ministry of Defence has said that non-volunteers would be able to apply for a transfer to areas suffering shortages. | However, the Ministry of Defence has said that non-volunteers would be able to apply for a transfer to areas suffering shortages. |
Personnel receiving the operational allowance, because they are serving on operations in Libya and Afghanistan, will be exempt from the cuts unless they apply, the MoD says. | Personnel receiving the operational allowance, because they are serving on operations in Libya and Afghanistan, will be exempt from the cuts unless they apply, the MoD says. |
It also says nobody preparing for or recently returned from operations in Afghanistan will be made redundant unless they have volunteered. | It also says nobody preparing for or recently returned from operations in Afghanistan will be made redundant unless they have volunteered. |
However, that means that some RAF ground personnel supporting the Libya operation in Italy or the UK could face redundancy. | However, that means that some RAF ground personnel supporting the Libya operation in Italy or the UK could face redundancy. |
The RAF said in March its jobs losses would include 170 trainee pilots, 200 weapons technicians, 529 ground tradesmen and 121 officers. | The RAF said in March its jobs losses would include 170 trainee pilots, 200 weapons technicians, 529 ground tradesmen and 121 officers. |
No trained pilots will be made redundant this time round. | No trained pilots will be made redundant this time round. |
'Performed heroics' | 'Performed heroics' |
Mr Murphy said: "Just as many RAF personnel will be thinking about returning home having performed heroics in Libya, ministers are drawing up their P45s. | Mr Murphy said: "Just as many RAF personnel will be thinking about returning home having performed heroics in Libya, ministers are drawing up their P45s. |
"People will be shocked and will wonder whether the government have got their priorities straight." | "People will be shocked and will wonder whether the government have got their priorities straight." |
But an MoD spokesman said: "The revised eligibility for the operational allowance will result in payment to any member of service personnel operating within the landmass, airspace and territorial waters of Libya. | But an MoD spokesman said: "The revised eligibility for the operational allowance will result in payment to any member of service personnel operating within the landmass, airspace and territorial waters of Libya. |
"This will include all aircrew operating over the Libyan landmass and to ships and submarines within 12 nautical miles of the coast. | "This will include all aircrew operating over the Libyan landmass and to ships and submarines within 12 nautical miles of the coast. |
"No-one deployed in land-based combat operations for which they are in receipt of the operational allowance, or within six months of deploying on those operations, or recovering from those operations on post-operational tour leave or entitled rest and recuperation will be made redundant unless they have volunteered." | "No-one deployed in land-based combat operations for which they are in receipt of the operational allowance, or within six months of deploying on those operations, or recovering from those operations on post-operational tour leave or entitled rest and recuperation will be made redundant unless they have volunteered." |
Those serving in the Royal Navy will find out whose jobs are to go on 30 September. About 1,600 personnel out of a total force of 31,500 are expected to be laid off during the first tranche of cuts. | Those serving in the Royal Navy will find out whose jobs are to go on 30 September. About 1,600 personnel out of a total force of 31,500 are expected to be laid off during the first tranche of cuts. |
All three services called for volunteers earlier this year, and some areas had been heavily over-subscribed, our correspondent said. | All three services called for volunteers earlier this year, and some areas had been heavily over-subscribed, our correspondent said. |
Those who have volunteered for redundancy will be given a six-month notice period to serve, while non-volunteers will be given 12 months. | Those who have volunteered for redundancy will be given a six-month notice period to serve, while non-volunteers will be given 12 months. |
The government was criticised for the timing of the announcement about RAF job losses in March, which coincided with the first talks on a no-fly zone over Libya. | The government was criticised for the timing of the announcement about RAF job losses in March, which coincided with the first talks on a no-fly zone over Libya. |
In a statement, Mr Murphy said the public would be unsettled by the job losses. | In a statement, Mr Murphy said the public would be unsettled by the job losses. |
"Savings must be made, but in a world of uncertainty, to many this will seem a worrying loss of important capability." | "Savings must be made, but in a world of uncertainty, to many this will seem a worrying loss of important capability." |
Previously, Defence Secretary Liam Fox has said redundancy was "never a painless process" and that a timetable needs to be adhered to for the sake of service personnel and their families. | Previously, Defence Secretary Liam Fox has said redundancy was "never a painless process" and that a timetable needs to be adhered to for the sake of service personnel and their families. |
"To delay that [process] for political expediency would have been to betray their trust," Mr Fox told the Commons when he first announced the cuts in March. | "To delay that [process] for political expediency would have been to betray their trust," Mr Fox told the Commons when he first announced the cuts in March. |