Deputy general secretary Mike Clancy said: “Prospect has already questioned the inaccurate claims by Dr Fox concerning MOD civilian staff. The facts are that the department is 30 per cent more tightly staffed than it was in 1997. In that period it has lost 41,000 staff. The department is already down to the bare bones. MOD efficiency is under constant review.

“It has already been denuded of many specialist staff it needs to play a vital role in keeping the front line operational. Further cuts will only make the situation on the ground worse and demoralise civilian staff who work all hours to provide services to the front line. Ill-informed comments like these are little more than crude electioneering. Many defence commentators and analysts argue, along with Prospect, that we need more funds for defence if we are to maintain our strategic role in international security.”