Britain to axis up to 5.300 army jobs

The British government said on Tuesday it was making up to 5.300 army staff redundant as share of cuts troop numbers That Will see Reduced to the Lowest since the early 19th century.

The Ministry of Defence Said soldiers returning from Afghanistan or heading to Would Be free from the cuts, the third round under Such a program will see That the regular army troops Reduced from 102.000 to 82.000 by 2020.

"WHILST we need to make up to 5.300 army staff redundant, the program will not adversely affect operations in Afghanistan," junior defense minister Mark Francois insisted in a statement to parliament.

Britain still HAS about 9.000 troops in Afghanistan ahead of a scheduled withdrawal in 2014.

The Conservative-led coalition government of Prime Minister David Cameron, Which is trying to shrink Britain's massive deficit, HAS Already Announced That Will Be Doubled reservist numbers to 30,000 by 2018 to help fill the shortfall.


Purpose the opposition Labour Party HAS Questioned the fresh defense cuts in the wake of the hostage crisis at a Algerian gas plant, at least 37 Foreigners Where Were killed, and the French-led assault against Islamist rebels in Mali.

Labour's defense spokesman Jim Murphy accusé the government of Implementing a "Carry On Regardless" strategy by Thousands of redundancies Announcing a day after Cameron vowed to show "iron resolve" in fighting Islamist terrorism.

"The Have Increased terrorism threats and yet the army has-been cut to just 82.000," Murphy Told parliament.

"There will be a growing sense in the country are unprepared for That Ministers events in North Africa and beyond."

Francois insisted Reservists That Would Be ble to fill the gap. "We are Reconfiguring our armed forces," he Told MPs.

"While we are Reducing the number of regulars over time we are Increasing the number of Reservists and I believe we can balance Achieve That in good time."

Britain's navy and air force are shedding 5.000 aussi posts under each Stock the Strategic Defence and Security Review Announced in 2010, while the Ministry of Defence Civilian 25.000 is losing jobs.

Francois warned further Top army redundancies That Were "likely" along with job cuts Among the medical and dental staff working with the navy and air force.

Acknowledged That Cameron on Monday, "of course, there are always challenges about the level of resources - even in times When money is plentiful, and It Is not plentiful today."

Purpose he added: "If you look at the defense and security budget, it is in cash terms Actually stable, at £ 33 billion ($ 52 billion, one billion euros 39).

"What we tried to do Have you a government, and we need to look Perhaps again and go even further, is to focus on terrorism threats to our security Those we face today."