Fresh hope was given today on the future of RAF Cosford, as a Government minister said the cost of moving the training centre was spiralling.

Cosford’s bid for the huge contract to create a tri-service academy was defeated in January 2007 in a run-off with a consortium to be based at RAF St Athan in South Wales.

But the academy has not even been started, and questions have been raised as to whether the private finance project is still affordable.

Midlands MP Mark Pritchard, who represents Cosford, told the Commons that the private finance initiative contract awarded to the Metrix Consortium was the biggest of its kind in British history.

He said: “Originally it was estimated that cost would be £11 billion. Within the last 12 months that has risen to £12 billion.” 

Armed forces minister Bob Ainsworth admitted spending to date on the Defence Training Review was £34.6 million, but insisted plans to move the training role from Cosford to South Wales were still affordable.

Mr Pritchard said later: “Ministers should come clean and accept that the most affordable and most sensible option would be to keep defence training at Cosford.”