Dave Williams, the permanent secretary, said department aims to lose 10% of staff, causing alarm among trade unions

More than 5,000 civil service jobs are to go at the Ministry of Defence in a drive to cut costs, prompting alarm among trade unions.

Dave Williams, the permanent secretary, said the department is aiming to lose 10% of its 56,800 staff by the end of the parliament. It has already shed thousands under the previous government through a hiring freeze which was due to end in March 2025.