Britain’s special forces are to be given £300million extra to help them fight terrorism .
The cash boost will bring the SAS and the SBS up to full strength, as they have been understaffed by about 100 troops for years. It will also pay for better equipment, including weapons and vehicles.
Cash will also go to the Special Reconnaissance Regiment and the Special Forces Support Group to fight groups such as Islamic State .
The UK’s Special Forces Group is deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Central America and parts of Africa.
A counter-terrorist team of 40 SAS or SBS soldiers is also on permanent standby in the UK, ready to smash a home terror attack.
A source said: “There is no extra money coming in to defence so if the special forces are getting more cash then other units will be cut to pay for it.
"They are the ‘go to’ troops in an emergency so they need more cash.”
Colonel Richard Kemp, former commander of British forces in Afghanistan, said: “The right prioritisation of defence spending should be towards special forces and intelligence-gathering.
“These are the most critical aspects of defence when dealing with terrorism. The Government should spend what is necessary.”