DEFENCE bosses have spent ￡1billion on consultants while slashing the size of the Army and freezing pay.
The Ministry of Defence has splurged ￡967million in five years on advice on what kind of kit, weapons and tanks to buy.
1
The MoD has splurged ￡967million in five years on advice on what kind of kit, weapons and tanks to buy Credit: Getty
The total hit ￡207million last year alone — compared with ￡87million in 2015, official stats show.
Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey, who uncovered the figures, said the MoD is “wasting money and letting down taxpayers”.
He added: “MoD budgets are out of control and ministers have failed to get a grip on the problem. This waste is letting down frontline forces and taxpayers.
"The MoD is a serial offender over contract and budget failures.”
The Army currently has 76,500 personnel, below its “established strength” of 82,000.
And Defence Secretary Ben Wallace earlier this year announced that its numbers will be reduced even further to 72,500 by 2025 as part of a shift towards drones and cyber warfare.
Last week, the Public Accounts Committee of MPs called the MoD’s system of procurement “broken” and said it has wasted billions in taxpayer money.
Most read in The Sun
shock exit Eamonn Holmes quits This Morning after 15 years
VAN THE MAN Van Bronckhorst favourite for Rangers boss ahead of Martin, McInnes and Lampard
CASHING IN I strip nude so my kids can eat says Ulrika Jonsson, 54
Gossip
TOP BOY Man Utd make Leicester's Rodgers top choice to replace under-pressure Solskjaer
'SHE WANTS TO WIN' Meghan 'doesn't listen to detail' and 'goes overboard', biographer says
HORS BACKED Van Bronckhorst bookies favourite for Rangers as Swansea boss Martin linked
Army’s new 66-ton Challenger 3 is ‘better than any Russian tank and most lethal in NATO’