THE Ministry of Defence does not envisage any jobs being lost at RAF Boulmer as part of plans to cut a further 7,000 civilian posts.

Union leaders last night hit out after plans were announced by the Ministry of Defence to cut a further 7,000 civilian posts on top of a previously-announced cull of 25,000 jobs.

RAF Boulmer plays a key role in the homeland defence of the UK. Around 1,000 service, civilian and contracted personnel work on the station that is also home to search and rescue helicopters.

Last night Berwick MP Sir Alan Beith, whose constituency includes Boulmer, said: “Clearly, the frontline has to be the priority.

“But until we see details we cannot know whether posts are threatened which provide a vital support role for the work of RAF Boulmer.”

The Liberal Democrat MP added: “There are also three civilian jobs which are already threatened at the Goswick Sands Unexploded Ordnance clearance about which I had a meeting last week.”

An RAF Boulmer spokeswoman said: “The additional cuts will be from 2015 and we don’t envisage any impact on RAF Boulmer.”