MoD Donnington base 'future secure'

The future of a Shropshire military base is secure, the government has said.

MoD Donnington employs more than 2,000 staff and is one of two logistics bases in the country, handling military equipment and weapons.

The MoD is currently undertaking a review of operations at Donnington and a sister site in Bicester, Oxfordshire.

Defence Minister Peter Luff said Donnington would not close, but did not rule out job losses.

He said: "Donnington has a very positive future to play in defence, whatever happens there. It's an important site.

"The nature, the balance of that work might change, but a lot of jobs will be generated in this area from defence at Donnington for the foreseeable future."

A decision on the government review is expected later in the year, but Chris Cadman, from the Unite trade union said he felt there was a bias towards the Bicester site.

He added: "We feel we've put quite a strong case to keep the work at Donnington.

"Telford and Wrekin have been very helpful. They're looking to make lots of land available if need be and offered green lights on planning permission."