Thousands of paratroopers to have £2,000 danger pay slashed

A 'heartless' decision to cut paratroopers' danger pay will damage morale and motivation, ministers were warned today.

Thousands are set to lose a £2,000-a-year specialist bonus as Army chiefs seek to reduce costs. The move will see a reduction in the number of soldiers trained to parachute, meaning they will no longer receive Para Pay, which has traditionally been given to all members of 16 Air Assault Brigade.

Former head of the Army Lord Dannatt said it was a "contentious" decision that would hit the brigade hard. "This is an indication of the extreme financial pressures that the Ministry of Defence is under and although in a narrow sense it may not affect capability today, it undoubtedly will affect the wider morale and perhaps the motivation of paras and the para family who have always expected to receive Para Pay whether they are currently jumping or not," he told the Standard.

Shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy also attacked the decision, saying: "This heartless cut comes after a pay freeze and cuts to pensions and allowances. It is increasingly those prepared to fight for their country who suffer from this Government's decision to cut the deficit too far and too fast.

"But while the deficit is temporary, these cuts to morale and important long-term capabilities are permanent."

An MoD source said Para Pay had been identified as an area where savings could be made as the department struggles to balance its books. The source insisted that airborne capability would not be affected and that only people who "will never be asked to jump out of the back of a plane" - such as quartermasters and cooks who have traditionally been fully-trained - would lose the payment.

The source also played down suggestions that soldiers returning from the front line in Afghanistan would be hit, saying payments would continue for at least 12 months after decisions were made. Army chiefs are currently looking at how many people will be affected.

A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said: "Soldiers who remain fully trained to parachute will continue to receive specialist pay. Personnel will be informed as soon as these plans have been finalised."