Training at key military bases in Shropshire could be scaled down as the armed forces attempt to save fuel at a time of soaring world oil prices.

The Ministry of Defence is facing an increase in its fuel bill next year of about £500 million and military chiefs have been told to look at training schedules in a bid to cut costs.

Fuel bills for the armed services are expected to rise to £2.9 billion in 2008-09, compared with just under £2.4 billion last year.

However, the MoD insisted the extra cost will not affect its ability to deliver military capability at home or abroad.

About two-thirds of the cost is accounted for by operations overseas, including in Iraq and Afghanistan, which are funded from a separate Treasury reserve and therefore do not impact on the MoD’s £34 billion budget.

The armed forces are due to receive a three per cent increase in funding and Chancellor Alistair Darling last week warned Cabinet colleagues not to ask for further increases in their budgets.

One report today said that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Glen Torpy, has said RAF pilots would do more training in simulators this year because of the budget squeeze.

Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox called for more assistance for the armed forces to cope with the extra fuel costs.

“It is essential that the Government does not take the easy option of cutting training because that can only put our forces at risk when they go into combat,” he said.

“Rising fuel costs will put even greater pressure on the already overstretched MoD budget,” Dr Fox added.