Homes of army chiefs in firing line for cuts

Published on Saturday 17 July 2010 12:52

TOP brass in the British armed forces may lose their official residences and domestic staff, following a review by defence secretary Liam Fox on the £2.6 million spent each year on housing 19 senior officers.

The Strategic Defence and Security Review will scrutinise the accommodation, entertainment and travel costs of the army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force chiefs.

Fox said: "The country is facing extremely challenging financial times and the MoD is no exception.

"Travel by civilian and military staff has already been restricted to standard class and only essential journeys will be made, in line with cross-government policy.

"The Strategic Defence and Security Review, which began in May, includes a rigorous examination of civilian and military entitlements."

Official residences will be examined in a separate, value-for-money study.

The head of the army, the Chief of the General Staff, is entitled to live at Bulford Manor, an official residence in Wiltshire. The annual rent for the property was revealed as 108,408 in a recent parliamentary answer.

The Ministry of Defence pays 2,656,398 in accommodation bills for 19 official residences for senior officers. The largest item is the wages paid to 81 full-time and part-time domestic staff.

According to MoD figures, the taxpayer meets the cost of 16 chefs and stewards, seven gardeners, three housekeepers, six "domestic assistants" and five "horse orderlies".