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MoD to unveil third round of Army job cuts MoD to unveil third round of Army job cuts
(about 4 hours later)
The Ministry of Defence is announcing a third round of Army redundancies later.The Ministry of Defence is announcing a third round of Army redundancies later.
About 5,000 job losses are expected, as part of cuts already announced by the government to reduce Army numbers from 102,000 to 82,000 by 2017.About 5,000 job losses are expected, as part of cuts already announced by the government to reduce Army numbers from 102,000 to 82,000 by 2017.
BBC correspondent Jonathan Beale said there could be a higher proportion of compulsory redundancies than in the first two rounds of cuts. There will be a fourth tranche later this year.BBC correspondent Jonathan Beale said there could be a higher proportion of compulsory redundancies than in the first two rounds of cuts. There will be a fourth tranche later this year.
The overall aim is to help plug a £38bn hole in the defence budget.The overall aim is to help plug a £38bn hole in the defence budget.
About 17,000 armed forces jobs are scheduled to go under the terms of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), announced in 2010.About 17,000 armed forces jobs are scheduled to go under the terms of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), announced in 2010.
The navy and air force have to cut 5,000 jobs each, the Army 7,000 and about 25,000 civilian staff working at the MoD face redundancy.The navy and air force have to cut 5,000 jobs each, the Army 7,000 and about 25,000 civilian staff working at the MoD face redundancy.
In 2011 a further reduction of 12,000 was identified for the regular Army, as the government sought to put greater emphasis on military reserves.In 2011 a further reduction of 12,000 was identified for the regular Army, as the government sought to put greater emphasis on military reserves.
In the first wave of losses in August and September 2011 more than 2,800 personnel from across the armed forces were told they had been selected for redundancy.In the first wave of losses in August and September 2011 more than 2,800 personnel from across the armed forces were told they had been selected for redundancy.
The second round of redundancies resulted in losses of more than 4,000 military personnel in June last year.The second round of redundancies resulted in losses of more than 4,000 military personnel in June last year.
In each case, almost two-thirds of those selected had volunteered to leave the armed forces.In each case, almost two-thirds of those selected had volunteered to leave the armed forces.
Both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force are not expected to be included in this latest round of redundancies, with natural wastage and a recruitment freeze in some areas making up the rest of the cutbacks they need to make.Both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force are not expected to be included in this latest round of redundancies, with natural wastage and a recruitment freeze in some areas making up the rest of the cutbacks they need to make.
Our correspondent said this third round would be the largest set of cuts faced by the Army so far, and would begin on Tuesday with the identification of the specialisms and ranks to go.Our correspondent said this third round would be the largest set of cuts faced by the Army so far, and would begin on Tuesday with the identification of the specialisms and ranks to go.
He added: "The majority of those who've been made redundant in the first two rounds have been volunteers.He added: "The majority of those who've been made redundant in the first two rounds have been volunteers.
"But the longer the process, the more brutal it becomes - with a higher proportion this time expected to be forced to leave.""But the longer the process, the more brutal it becomes - with a higher proportion this time expected to be forced to leave."
The MoD insists personnel deployed or about to be deployed to Afghanistan will be exempt from the process.The MoD insists personnel deployed or about to be deployed to Afghanistan will be exempt from the process.
Islamist extremismIslamist extremism
Maj Gen Patrick Cordingley, speaking on BBC Radio 5 live, said the UK's participation in a major land war in the future would much smaller than in previous conflicts as a result of the changes.
On Monday, David Cameron faced questions from MPs about defence cutbacks in light of the recent hostage crisis in Algeria and concerns that Britain faces a growing battle with Islamist extremism in North Africa.On Monday, David Cameron faced questions from MPs about defence cutbacks in light of the recent hostage crisis in Algeria and concerns that Britain faces a growing battle with Islamist extremism in North Africa.
Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell questioned whether Britain's defence and intelligence agencies had enough resources to meet the prime minister's commitment to tackle terrorism in the region.Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell questioned whether Britain's defence and intelligence agencies had enough resources to meet the prime minister's commitment to tackle terrorism in the region.
Mr Cameron said: "Of course, there are always challenges about the level of resources, even in times when money is plentiful, and it isn't plentiful today.Mr Cameron said: "Of course, there are always challenges about the level of resources, even in times when money is plentiful, and it isn't plentiful today.
"If you look at the defence and security budget, it is actually in cash terms stable at £33bn and what we have tried to do as a government, and perhaps we need to look again and go even further, is to focus on those threats to our security we face today.""If you look at the defence and security budget, it is actually in cash terms stable at £33bn and what we have tried to do as a government, and perhaps we need to look again and go even further, is to focus on those threats to our security we face today."
Do you or your family members work in the armed forces? Will you be affected by the job cuts? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Do you or your family members work in the armed forces? Will you be affected by the job cuts? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.