I got the impression from reading that, that this is the Para's salvo in the current whitehall spending round. We all know the budget is under pressure, and most units are making statements on the impacts of cuts. The paras have almost certainly drawn up their "worst case scenario" option and leaked it to the press, particularly in light of the VC announcement this week. The RN's done the same with the slip escorts to 20 paper and I'm sure the RAF will do something similar (lower standards of hotels to 3*?
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