US backs the UK military as details of cuts emerge
THE CUTS to the defence budget announced on Tuesday were fleshed out yesterday, as the US government gave its support to the UK’s military.
The Ministry of Defence’s budget will be cut to £33.5bn a year in 2104–15, but will rise slightly in 2011. Day-to-day and capital spending will be cut by a cumulative 7.5 per cent in real terms.
The recommendations of the Trident value for money review are expected to reduce spending by £750m over five years, and some £3.2bn over the next 10 years.
The ministry will also make a 25 per cent cut in civilian and military non-frontline organisations by 2015.
The Pentagon’s press secretary Geoff Morrell said in a statement yesterday: “We are confident that the UK will continue to have the capacity to provide top-tier fighting forces in Afghanistan and other future missions in defence of our shared interests and security.”