Issue of the day: Defence reforms
News Article 8 April 2005
Party spokesmen debate the future of the armed forces.
MoD under fire over Chinook deal
Press Review 18 March 2005
MPs on the public accounts committee have heavily criticised the Ministry of Defence over the refusal of the US to allow British forces access to software codes controlling the operations of Chinook helicopters.
Letwin endorses pacifist tax plan
Press Review 31 January 2005
Oliver Letwin is said to be backing plans for pacifist taxpayers to be allowed not to contribute to the government's defence spending.
Service votes lost through rule change
Press Review 28 October 2004
The Times reports that thousands of service personnel may have lost their vote after changes to the rules governing electoral registration for the armed forces.
Think tanks slam defence policy
Press Review 22 September 2004
The government's policy of "propping up" the defence industry has been criticised by four think tanks which say the taxpayer is paying at least £450 million a year subsidising arms exports and further billions protecting jobs.
MoD cost-cutting revealed
Press Review 6 September 2004
The Guardian reports on the cost-cutting exercises conducted by the Ministry of Defence due to budget restrictions and weapons overspends.
Bad news for Hoon in poll
Press Review 23 August 2004
Most voters believe the government is spending too little on defence, according to an opinion poll conducted for the Telegraph.
Blair angers MPs with Chinook decision
Press Review 17 August 2004
Tony Blair has reignited the row over the 1994 Chinook helicopter crash by writing to MPs to say he backs the judgement that the two pilots were guilty of "gross negligence".
Naval chief issues cuts warning
Press Review 5 August 2004
The commander-in-chief of the Royal Navy has warned the government that its proposals to axe a dozen ships means that the Navy will be unable to undertake at least two commitments in the future.
PM ignored watchdog over RAF chief's job
Press Review 26 July 2004
Tony Blair overruled a decision by a Whitehall watchdog delaying an RAF air chief marshal from taking a job with a defence company.
Manpower cuts expected in defence strategy announcement
Press Review 21 July 2004
The defence secretary is today expected to announce 12,000 manpower cuts across all three armed forces, as part of the government's overall defence strategy.
Forces braced for massive cuts
Press Review 9 July 2004
The armed forces are facing the biggest cuts since the end of the Cold War in next week's spending review.
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MoD procurement slammed
Press Review 13 May 2004
The civil servant responsible for buying Britain’s defence equipment told MPs yesterday that clearing up the problems he inherited would take another year or two at least.
Admiral braced for navy cuts
Press Review 12 May 2004
Interviewed in today's Times, Admiral Sir Alan West, the first sea lord, says that the Royal Navy is preparing for "ruthless" cuts in its strength.
