Army fears squeeze on funds will hit morale

THE Armed Forces has cut back on the use of mobile phones to help raise an additional £300million needed to renew Britain’s nuclear deterrent.

Lt Gen Mark Coffey said the Ministry of Defence had to make cuts across the board to meet its spending obligations, but warned “small incremental hits” could negatively affect retention rates. Giving evidence before the Commons defence committee yesterday, Lt Gen Coffey said the MOD had to be careful to ensure that restricting soldiers’ access to items such as mobile phones and rented cars did not damage morale.

His warning follows reports in October that the Army had to find £100 million for Trident, with cuts falling on training, accommodation and travel.

Meanwhile, Gavin Williamson, the Defence Secretary, suggested to MPS that the Government could intervene in a hostile takeover of a British defence company, amid fears it could put national security at risk.

He said he had “serious concerns” over plans to acquire aerospace giant GKN by Melrose Industries, an investment company critics accuse of being “opportunistic asset strippers”. Mr Williamson said he had written to Greg Clark, the business secretary, to seek reassurances over the £7billion bid.