Stafford's army base to escape worst of cuts

Jobs will go at the MoD Stafford base but the cuts will not be significant, according to bosses.

Armed personnel and Gurkhas appear to have escaped the worst of the cuts announced yesterday.

The Government revealed that 920 Army and 930 RAF personnel in the UK would be made redundant – with 750 of the job losses compulsory. The figure includes 140 Gurkhas.

In all there are 167 Gurkhas based at Beaconside Barracks in its 248 Gurkha Signal Squadron, serving with 22 Signal Regiment.

In April this year, it was confirmed that 140 Gurkhas at the Beaconside base would be invited to apply for voluntary redundancy – but that cuts to the numbers could be made regardless.

MoD officials have remained tight-lipped about how the first tranche of cuts following the Strategic Defence and Security Review would affect those at the Stafford base.

Lieutenant Colonel Chas Dale from MoD Stafford admitted that the announcement would mean some personnel at the base losing jobs although there would not be "significant" cuts. He said: "We have got several units that will have been affected by this announcement. But it is not a significant number."

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "We will not be releasing data on which geographical areas are affected by the cuts, as this would identify individuals."

The MoD expects some Gurkhas facing the axe to transfer to other infantry regiments.

MoD Stafford in Beaconside has been home to the 248 Gurkha Signal Squadron since 2007 when the unit was formed as part of 22 Signal Regiment. The Gurkha Squadron has since deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.