Thousands of soldiers in the Parachute Regiment could lose their entitlement to a special monthly bonus for parachuting skills as part of Ministry of Defence cost-cutting measures. The £180-a-month payment, known as the 'special payment', is currently awarded to those fully trained to parachute.
Under the proposed plans, the Army would reduce the number of personnel in 16 Air Assault Brigade who undergo full parachute training. This includes roles such as cooks and quartermasters, which would no longer require the skill, thereby lowering the count of those qualifying for the bonus.
The move is expected to affect a significant number of the regiment's members, though exact figures have not been disclosed. The MoD has not commented on the potential savings or the timeline for implementation.
