Future pledged for cutback bases

Adam Ingram (left) met with Group Captain Chris Birks at RAF Kinloss

Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram has sought to reassure communities in Moray where almost 900 RAF jobs will be axed.

The minister announced the cuts last week but was condemned for cancelling a planned visit to the bases on Friday.

Mr Ingram met staff at RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Kinloss and pledged a future for the bases into the next decade.

The Nationalists have tabled questions asking what impact assessment has been made by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and about contingency plans.

Mr Ingram said the cuts in service personnel were necessary to maximise the efficiency of the MoD in order to invest in the future.

I would recognise that there are people who wish the decision had not been taken but also recognise in some ways the inevitability of the decision Adam Ingram Armed Forces Minister

Despite the cuts, the minister said the two bases still had a future, with the Nimrod fleet guaranteed to remain at RAF Kinloss until 2013.

Jobs will also be lost at RAF Leuchars in Fife, taking the total to more than 1,000 posts being cut.

Mr Ingram said: "There are some substantial changes taking place within the RAF which have impacted both adversely and positively for this area.

"Those changes of an adverse nature are unquestionably necessary, it is about making sure we are doing everything we can to deliver proper, efficient support to the front line."

He said there would remain a "sizeable" defence presence in the Moray area.

Housing hope

And he said there may be an announcement later in the year over the possibility of the basing of a new aircraft, the Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA), at Lossiemouth.

Mr Ingram added: "I would recognise that there are people who wish the decision had not been taken but also recognise in some ways the inevitability of the decision."

He added that the financial implications of the decision taken would be dealt with by the Scottish Executive.

Moray Council convener Eddie Coutts said he and his colleagues had a "very useful" meeting with Mr Ingram.

The MoD has bungled the announcement, gone behind the back of parliament and been insensitive to the local community. Angus Robertson SNP defence spokesman

He said: "What we want to do is make the best possible use of what is available to us in Moray, to retain as much as we can of infrastructure in Moray and the air force presence in Moray and look at ways we can advance Moray as a result of this announcement."

He suggested that empty homes on the bases following the job cuts could end up being occupied by people currently on the Moray housing association list as there is a housing shortage.

Mr Coutts is also planning to meet First Minister Jack McConnell to discuss the future of the bases and Moray's infrastructure.

The Scottish National Party's defence spokesman and Moray MP Angus Robertson said: "It would be unbelievably callous to announce cuts, costing the local economy £20m in Moray's case, and not make any provision to help the affected areas.

"Over the last week the MoD has bungled the announcement, gone behind the back of parliament and been insensitive to the local community.

"Now it is imperative for the government to print its economic assessment of the cuts and the details of contingency plans to offset the damage to the local economy."