THE safety of defence staff is at risk because of government outsourcing, a new report from MPs has concluded.

The Hose of Commons defence select committee report says the Ministry of Defence (MoD) should reverse course on cuts and privatising key functions at military sites.

One of the moves highlighted by the MPs was the outsourcing of the defence fire and rescue service (DFRS) at HM Naval Base Clyde, which is now provided by Capita.

Committee member Martin Docherty-Hughes, SNP MP for West Dunbartonshire, said there was "damning evidence" about contracted staff at key sites, including HMNB Clyde.

The committee report, published on May 26, examines the Defence Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS), for which the MoD awarded a contract to Capita in 2020.

Mr Docherty-Hughes, who chaired a defence sub-committee inquiry into the treatment of contracted staff for the MoD’s ancillary services, said evidence provided to the committee suggests that cuts to firefighting jobs at Faslane and Coulport were putting base and public safety at risk.

He said: "The sessions I chaired for this committee enquiry heard damning evidence that contracted defence staff at key MoD sites, including Faslane and Coulport, are being treated poorly and that outsourcing to private companies is putting safety at risk.

“The fear is that during these economically straitened times the incentives for a cash-strapped MoD to look for the simple outsourcing solution will be increased, and as ever the price will be paid by the lowest paid workers, who will see yet more downward pressure on their pay and conditions.

“This report makes a number of recommendations which I welcome - particularly the call for a review of the Defence Fire and Rescue contract, which we have heard so often is failing the staff who undertake such a vital, skilled, but often overlooked role in assuring the safety of defence locations, like HMNB Clyde at Faslane.

“The UK government must listen to the unions as a priority. They must ensure that worrying proposals to change shift patterns which could risk public safety, just to save money that will go straight into the pockets of private shareholders, are not allowed to be repeated.”

The MoD has been approached for comment.