Union will be in contact with GMB members in the MOD bases affected by cuts announced

15 December 2009

GMB may need to go back to politicians with our concerns because some of these changes could undermine the military capacity of the UK

GMB commented on the statement by defence secretary Bob Ainsworth today. He told the Commons he was announcing changes to the defence programme to enhance support for operations in Afghanistan by £900 million over the next three years and reductions elsewhere.

Keith Hazlewood, GMB national secretary said "GMB is very concerned about the announcement that RAF Cottesmore is to close. GMB is also concerned that if the Ministry of Defence storage facility in Ashchurch in Gloucestershire is moved to Donnington it could jeopardise the troops in Afghanistan.

We will be contact with all GMB members in the MOD bases to be affected by these cuts to support them as required. We are very concerned that there has been no consultation about these closures and GMB members will want detailed talks to question the logic of this reorganization. We may need to go back to politicians with our concerns because some of these changes could undermine the military capacity of the UK. "