Fire Brigades Union calls on Labour for fire and rescue funding boost in UK budget
Iain Hoey
Share this content
Labour’s first budget faces calls for fire and rescue investment
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has formally requested that the Labour Party prioritise funding for the fire and rescue service in its upcoming budget.
In a letter addressed to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, FBU General Secretary Matt Wrack called for immediate investment to counteract what he described as the deterioration of fire services across the UK due to sustained budget cuts.
Wrack highlighted issues such as extended response times, loss of personnel, and low wages.
Fire services affected by staffing shortages and funding cuts
Wrack’s letter outlines a series of challenges currently facing UK fire and rescue services.
“Since 2010, one in five firefighter jobs has been lost,” he wrote, citing a lack of staffing and resources as critical concerns.
The letter claims that many fire engines across the country remain out of service because of staff shortages, adding: “In some areas, appliances are being sent to fires with too few people on board to safely respond to incidents.”
The FBU has attributed these issues to a 30% reduction in central government funding for the fire service since 2010.
Call for public sector pay and fair funding settlement
In his appeal, Wrack also discussed the financial strain on firefighters, who he said have faced “real terms pay cuts.”
He argued that this has led to hardships for many within the service, with some reportedly struggling to cover basic expenses.
Wrack emphasised the union’s support for Labour’s commitment to establishing national standards for fire cover, a move he said is necessary to ensure consistent service across regions.
The impact of austerity on public services
Wrack’s letter framed the union’s request as an opportunity for Labour to end what he described as the “austerity era” that had impacted the UK’s public services over the past decade.
He wrote: “The Labour government’s Budget must begin to make up for the decade and a half of constant cuts to services and wages.”
The FBU has urged Labour to provide a funding settlement that allows for “a decent pay offer” to firefighters, reflecting the government’s commitment to its “New Deal for Working People.”
Fire Brigades Union calls on Labour for fire and rescue funding boost in UK budget: Summary
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has formally appealed to Chancellor Rachel Reeves to prioritise fire and rescue service funding in the Labour Party’s upcoming budget.
In a letter dated 24 October 2024, FBU General Secretary Matt Wrack urged the Chancellor to address issues related to extended response times, personnel shortages, and real-term pay cuts that have reportedly impacted UK fire services.
Wrack attributed many of these challenges to years of austerity-driven cuts, which, according to the FBU, have diminished service quality and affected firefighter livelihoods.
The union emphasised Labour’s commitment to establishing national fire cover standards and called for an adequate funding settlement to address the sector’s needs.
