UK firefighter cuts since 2010 raise public safety concerns, warns FBU
Iain Hoey
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UK sees 21% reduction in firefighter posts since 2010
New figures obtained by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) reveal that the UK has lost approximately 12,000 firefighter positions since 2010, representing a 21% reduction in the national firefighting workforce.
The data shows that the cuts have impacted every region, leaving the country with fewer resources to respond to emergencies, as reported by the FBU.
England has been the most affected, with 10,000 firefighter positions cut, equating to a 22% reduction.
Scotland lost around 1,400 firefighters, Wales saw a reduction of 500 positions, and Northern Ireland cut over 200 positions.
The figures suggest that the UK may not have the resilience needed to ensure public safety, especially with increasing incidents such as flooding, wildfires, and storms.
Critical regions face severe reductions in firefighting capacity
The data highlights that 12 fire and rescue services in England have lost a quarter or more of their workforce.
Buckinghamshire fire and rescue service experienced the most significant cuts, with over 40% of its firefighters lost.
Additionally, services in other regions like Nottinghamshire, London, and Avon have also been heavily affected, with cuts ranging from 22% to 33%.
The FBU also uncovered that approximately 4,000 firefighters hold both full-time and on-call contracts, resulting in double counting within official figures.
This discrepancy suggests that the actual number of firefighters available at any given time is even lower than reported.
Firefighter response times increase across the UK
Response times to life-threatening fires have worsened across the UK, with a national average increase of three minutes over the last two decades.
In 1995, the average response time was 6.11 minutes, which has since risen to 9.13 minutes by 2023.
The prolonged response times are particularly concerning in regions like Dorset and Wiltshire, where current response times average 10 minutes and 46 seconds.
The FBU attributes these delays to staffing cuts and warns that further reductions will exacerbate the situation, endangering lives and property.
FBU urges government action to prevent further cuts
The FBU is calling on the UK government to address the critical situation facing fire and rescue services.
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the FBU, emphasised the urgency of the matter, stating: “Fourteen years of austerity have devastated the fire and rescue service.
Every region has been hit, with 12,000 firefighters lost to cuts across the UK.”
He further noted the increased demand on firefighters due to the climate emergency, highlighting that the current resources are insufficient to meet the growing challenges.
The union is urging the Labour party to prioritise investment in the fire and rescue service to ensure public safety.
Fire Brigades Union warns of UK firefighter cuts impacting public safety: Summary
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has released data showing a 21% reduction in the UK’s firefighting workforce since 2010, with 12,000 firefighter posts cut.
England has seen the most significant impact, with 10,000 positions lost, while Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have also faced cuts.
The FBU warns that the reduced workforce is leading to slower response times and increased risks to public safety.
The union is urging the government to invest in the fire and rescue service to address these issues and prevent further cuts.
The data was obtained from the Home Office, Stats Wales, SFRS, NIFRS, and FBU Freedom of Information requests.
