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Police could be given "military-style" short-term commissions, bringing an end to the "guaranteed" right to a job for life, MPs have heard.

Tom Winsor, who is carrying out a review of pay and conditions for the government, said recruits could sign up for an "initial term of five years".

He added that a "fundamental" change in the structure of policing was possible.

Cuts to funding have caused anger among officers, with a mass march set to take place in London next month.

The coalition's Spending Review, published last autumn, reduced central government funding to police in England and Wales by 20% over five years.

The chief inspector of constabulary warned earlier this year that some forces faced a "big challenge" to make cuts without losing frontline officers.

The Association of Chief Police Officers has estimated that 28,000 police jobs will go over the next four years - 12,000 front-line officers and 16,000 civilian staff.

Mr Winsor, the former rail regulator, told the Commons home affairs committee that his proposals, aimed at helping to make possible more than £1bn of savings across England and Wales, would create "losers and winners".

He said: "Some will lose money but 60% of police officers will actually be better off as a result of the recommendations in my review if they are implemented."

He added: "It is conceptually possible that there could be a fundamental change in the type of police service that we have."

Mr Winsor revealed that "military-style" shorter-term commissions for officers were being considered.

Further recommendations could see a change "to the structure of police careers" following a second part of the review.

He added: "So police officers would not be signing up for a guaranteed job for 30 or 35 years. They would instead be signing up for an initial term of five years."

Mr Winsor admitted the recommendations could see a change in the nature of policing, adding: "I know of no other occupation where you are guaranteed a job for 30 years."

Also giving evidence, Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, told the committee that officers did not want the right to strike - which is currently outlawed.

However, under a "worst-case scenario", the cuts could see losses to police budgets of up to £600m, he argued, saying: "There will be unintentional consequences and we know it."

Mr McKeever will lead thousands of police officers, angry over spending cuts, on a day of action.

Representatives from every force are expected to gather at Methodist Central Hall in Westminster on 13 July before a two-hour lobbying event with politicians.