Shailesh Vara MP has secured assurances from Mark Francois MP, the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, following the announcement yesterday that 183 posts will go from RAF Wittering.

As part of changes to the RAF Force Protection Wing, No 1 RAF Force Protection Wing HQ and 3 Squadron RAF Regiment, at the base in Wittering, will be disbanded from April 2015. However, the 183 serving personnel will not be made redundant but will be absorbed into the remainder of the RAF across the UK.

Mr Vara said:

“I am of course very disappointed with this news and have spoken with Mark Francois the Defence Minister. He has assured me that this is limited to 183 personnel and that there will be no further reductions and that the decision takes effect next spring, allowing those affected and their families time to plan ahead. Importantly, he gave me an assurance that all the people will be offered jobs within the RAF Force Protection Force.

“I have also asked the Minister to ensure that the personnel are provided with all the help and assistance that they require.”