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MoD unveils third round of Army job cuts MoD unveils third round of Army job cuts
(about 1 hour later)
The Ministry of Defence has announced a third round of Army redundancies.The Ministry of Defence has announced a third round of Army redundancies.
Up to 5,300 job losses were outlined by the government. These are part of cuts already announced to reduce Army numbers from 102,000 to 82,000 by 2017,Up to 5,300 job losses were outlined by the government. These are part of cuts already announced to reduce Army numbers from 102,000 to 82,000 by 2017,
Defence minister Mark Francois said the MoD would ensure it retained the capabilities the Armed Forces required "in order to meet the challenges of the future".Defence minister Mark Francois said the MoD would ensure it retained the capabilities the Armed Forces required "in order to meet the challenges of the future".
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.
Labour has questioned defence cuts in the wake of the recent hostage crisis in Algeria and concerns that the UK faces a growing battle with Islamist extremism in North Africa.
But the BBC's Norman Smith says the government was "very unlikely to back off from these redundancies" because it says the only support likely to be offered in that region will be logistically, rather than troops.
Redundancy notices will be issued on 18 June. Any personnel preparing for, serving on, or recovering from operations on that date will not lose their jobs unless they have applied for redundancy.Redundancy notices will be issued on 18 June. Any personnel preparing for, serving on, or recovering from operations on that date will not lose their jobs unless they have applied for redundancy.
The MoD said a further tranche of job losses among Royal Navy and RAF medical and dental personnel, as well as additional Army redundancies, was also "likely".The MoD said a further tranche of job losses among Royal Navy and RAF medical and dental personnel, as well as additional Army redundancies, was also "likely".
Mr Francois, responding to an urgent question on the move in the House of Commons from shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy, said he could not guarantee that all of the redundancies would be made from those who had applied.Mr Francois, responding to an urgent question on the move in the House of Commons from shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy, said he could not guarantee that all of the redundancies would be made from those who had applied.
However, he said some 60% of redundancies in the first tranche came from applicants and more than 70% in the second.However, he said some 60% of redundancies in the first tranche came from applicants and more than 70% in the second.
Mr Francois said the Army "must live within its means". Mr Francois said the Army "must live within its means" because of the size of the 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.
Catherine Spencer, of the Army Families Federation, said redundancy for soldiers often meant "a complicated and worrying process" for their families.Catherine Spencer, of the Army Families Federation, said redundancy for soldiers often meant "a complicated and worrying process" for their families.
"The family are more likely to accompany a soldier, they are quite likely to be living in service family accommodation, so they're going to be asking themselves where they're going to be living, what their soldier is going to do for a job, where their children are going to go to school and, quite often, whether their spouse will lose their job because they'll have to relocate to another area.""The family are more likely to accompany a soldier, they are quite likely to be living in service family accommodation, so they're going to be asking themselves where they're going to be living, what their soldier is going to do for a job, where their children are going to go to school and, quite often, whether their spouse will lose their job because they'll have to relocate to another area."
Last year the government announced that reservist numbers were to be doubled to 30,000 by 2018, taking on an "integral" role, to help fill the gap.Last year the government announced that reservist numbers were to be doubled to 30,000 by 2018, taking on an "integral" role, to help fill the gap.
But, commenting on the latest round of Army redundancies, Mr Murphy said the extra emphasis on the contribution of reservists combined with the speed of the reduction in the Army's size could cause problems.But, commenting on the latest round of Army redundancies, Mr Murphy said the extra emphasis on the contribution of reservists combined with the speed of the reduction in the Army's size could cause problems.
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. 'Carry on regardless'
The shadow defence secretary said: "There are real worries about the military impact of a loss of skills and capability at a time of increased threats and new global challenges. Neither the Royal Navy not the Royal Air Force is expected to be included in this latest round of redundancies, with natural wastage expected to make up the rest of the cutbacks they need to make.
"Military planning advice must take precedence over ministers' political presentation concerns." The MoD said: "It is important the armed forces continue to recruit to ensure we have enough quality junior ranks and young officers to promote up through the organisation in future.
Mr Murphy told BBC Radio 5 live there was "a logic" to reducing the size of the Army. "The Armed Forces Redundancy Programme has been designed to safeguard those skill sets needed in the future armed forces, while ensuring that rank structure remains balanced and support to combat operations is not compromised."
'Brutal' process The shadow defence secretary said it was "a dreadful day" for many members of the Army and their families.
However, he expressed concern at the manner of the cuts, with its particular emphasis on reservists, which he said could cause problems if there were problems freeing them up to take on more responsibilities. Mr Murphy said: "This seems to be a 'carry on regardless' plan.
He said: "If we're going to ask more of men and women in other jobs to be involved in the reservists, which can be a fantastic opportunity, we have to rely upon the goodwill and support of employers. "We heard the prime minister yesterday talk about the need for a different approach in North Africa in particular and, while we're not looking for Afghanistan levels of British Army commitment, to announce a new plan for North Africa on Monday and announce 5,000 redundancies in the Army on Tuesday just seems to make no sense whatsoever."
"If a reservist goes for an interview and they're equally qualified with someone else who also goes for the interview, we have to work with employers to make sure they don't have at the back of their mind: 'My gosh, this employee, as a reservist, will be away for six months and I can't cope with that as a company'."
BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said this third round of redundancies 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.BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said this third round of redundancies 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.
"But the longer the process, the more brutal it becomes - with a higher proportion this time expected to be forced to leave."
Islamist extremismIslamist extremism
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.
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.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 the UK'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.