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REAL-LIFE James Bonds are being told to rein in their spending as they attempt to win over sources.

- Marco Giannangeli

Bean-counters are questioning the time and expense needed for spooks to "land" important assets, insiders have revealed.

The belt-tightening comes after the budget for Britain's intelligence officers and operatives - including MI5, M16, GCHQ and other branches - was slashed by 14% to £3.6billion last year.

The then Tory government was later persuaded to add an extra £340million but matters have got worse under Labour, sources say.

Agents are banned from putting alcoholic drinks on expenses and asked why they need more than one meal out to get someone on side.

The cost-cutting stretches to the "quality of toilet paper and to certain types of furniture" in spooks' offices, a source revealed last night.