Conservatives will today attack a £1 billion cut in defence spending since Labour came to power, Treasury savings which have led to the scrapping of the Sea Harrier fighter jet from 2006.

"It is simply unbelievable that in the middle of the war against terror the government continues to cut our frontline forces," shadow defence secretary Bernard Jenkin will say.

The Sun reports that a new SAS-style force is to be established, ready to be deployed at short notice.