Defence secretary Liam Fox has acknowledged the devastating economic effect the loss of the RAF from Leuchars will have on local communities but maintains the decision to turn it into an army base still makes “overall military sense.”
The comments came in Dr Fox’s latest letter to North East Fife MP, Sir Menzies Campbell, which also outlined a rationale and general timetable for RAF Leuchars to be transformed into a new home for troops returning from Germany.
His admission is not only likely to spark renewed anger among those who had battled to retain Leuchars as an RAF base, but also among the communities and businesses that are facing an uncertain future without the RAF’s presence nearby.
The defence secretary said he recognised the “very real economic impacts of the decisions we have made in the basing review,” although he confirmed Leuchars will remain as an RAF base until 2014 a year longer than some campaigners fighting to save the airbase originally thought.
He also reiterated the government’s aim to move the headquarters of the new Multi-Role Brigade to Leuchars before 2015, with the major units to follow between 2015-17.
“We do understand the very real economic impacts of the decisions we have made in the basing review and these formed part of the wider government consideration,” he stated.
“However, I have been very clear and consistent throughout the basing review that the paramount criteria must be what makes overall military sense and is best for the defence and security of the UK.”
He added, “In addition to this, we do aim to base our armed forces in a way as sensitive to economic and social pressures as is consistent with the needs of defence, our people and their families.”No firm timescaleHe said his “primary responsibility” was to make best use of the defence budget for the defence and security of the UK, and pledged to continue working with partners to see how the “harmful socio-economic impacts” of the closure decision can be minimised.
However, he admitted, “We have had to make difficult choices and our rebasing plan may, regrettably, mean a reduction in defence-related economic activity for some communities.”
In relation to timing, Dr Fox reaffirmed the intention to begin building up the Typhoon force at Lossiemouth straight away.
He said, “So we hope to ensure continuity of the military presence in Fife as far as possible and minimise the impact on the local economy of these changes.
“Final decisions have yet to be taken on which specific units from Germany will return to which bases, so I am unable to provide you with a firmer timescale for Leuchars at this stage.”
Dr Fox said the government remains “sensitive” to the need to manage transition arrangements, in terms of the implications for local communities and indeed personnel, and described that process as a “challenging task.”
He said, “We have much to do, which will require hard work, patience and understanding from all concerned.”‘Profound concern’Commenting on the letter, Sir Menzies described the Ministry of Defence’s admission that there could be a three-year gap between the RAF leaving Leuchars and the full complement of army personnel taking up residence of the base as a matter of “profound concern.”
He said, “The secretary of state is at pains to emphasise every effort will be made to minimise the impact of the transfer of the base from the RAF to the army.
“It is clear that at the very least there will be a slow build-up of army numbers at Leuchars.
“The local community now faces a period of considerable uncertainty and upheaval.”
He added, “The secretary of state calls for patience and understanding from all concerned.
“These may be in short supply but the task force will continue to hold the Ministry of Defence to the undertakings previously given.”