The MOD’s plans to streamline head office operations will impact on at least 1,000 civilian posts, 300 military posts and leave a question mark hanging over a further 800 staff who wait to hear if they will be relocated outside London.

Andy Bye, Prospect negotiator said: "While we welcome moves to make a more focussed and efficient department, MOD seems to have plucked a headcount reduction figure from the air rather than undertake a detailed analysis of areas where streamlining could be achieved.

"Our members question whether the enthusiasm to cut up to 30% of head office staff will be matched by a 30% reduction in total workload. These are staff who are vital to providing the backup needed for service personnel in the frontline, but who now face the added distraction of uncertainty over their own futures while juggling the extra demands being placed on them."

The union is calling for a wider public debate over the proposals, including scrutiny by the Defence Select Committee, to assess the impact of this and other ongoing reviews in MOD on the UK’s defence capability.

Prospect represents 12,000 in MOD including engineers of all disciplines, scientists, logistics support, trainers, librarians, information officers, stores officers and telecommunications staff.

The proposals will see the reduction from three central London buildings - Main Building, St George’s Ct and Old War Office – to one central headquarters site at Main Building.