FBU general secretary calls for firefighter pay action in budget response

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has urged the UK government to take stronger action following the latest budget announcement.

Matt Wrack, the union’s general secretary, said that while the budget contains welcome steps, it does not address what he calls years of underfunding for public services, including fire and rescue.

Wrack highlighted long-standing pay concerns, stating: “Firefighters and other public sector workers have faced years of real term cuts to pay since 2010, while frontline services have been starved of funding.”

He underscored the importance of a substantial pay increase for firefighters, calling it essential in next year’s pay rounds, as reported by the Fire Brigades Union.

Government’s budget includes pay and tax reforms

The budget announcement included several measures impacting public sector pay and taxation.

The Chancellor pledged to protect the rights of working people, with specific provisions for an increase in the minimum wage and additional NHS funding to address what Wrack described as “its worst crisis in decades as a consequence of Tory cuts.”

Other notable measures in the budget were windfall taxes on oil and gas and the addition of VAT to public school fees.

These initiatives were acknowledged by Wrack as positive steps, though he argued that further action is needed to restore essential public services to full functionality.

Missed opportunities in corporate tax policy

Wrack criticised the government’s stance on corporate taxation, calling the UK’s low corporate tax rate a missed opportunity.

He stated: “Having the lowest corporation tax in the G7 is not something to boast about – it is a symptom of a broken economic model in which profits are prioritised above the needs and safety of the public.”

This, he argued, reflects a larger issue where economic policy prioritises profits over public welfare.

Wrack suggested that increased corporate tax revenue could contribute significantly to the rebuilding of UK public services, which have experienced considerable cuts.

Fire and rescue service funding remains a priority

The FBU has prioritised funding for fire and rescue services, which have seen a 30% reduction in central government funding since 2010.

Wrack expressed the union’s intention to advocate for a reversal of these cuts, emphasising the importance of sustainable funding for essential services.

“The FBU will fight hard for substantial increases in funding for the fire and rescue service,” Wrack said, adding that the FBU expects these issues to be addressed in the upcoming spending review.

The union remains committed to holding the government accountable for delivering increased support across public services.

Fire Brigades Union calls on UK government for increased funding in firefighter pay and public services: Summary

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has responded to the UK government’s latest budget with a call for greater action in supporting public sector services, specifically for firefighters.

General Secretary Matt Wrack acknowledged positive budget aspects, such as increased NHS funding, a minimum wage rise, and new taxes on oil, gas, and private school fees.

However, he pointed out what he views as missed opportunities, particularly in the area of corporate taxation.

Wrack noted the low corporate tax rate as a symptom of economic priorities that favour profits over public needs.

Additionally, he highlighted a long-term decline in funding for fire and rescue services, reiterating the FBU’s demand for significant financial commitments from the government in the forthcoming spending review.