One-in-five fire engines in London unavailable each day due to cutbacks

The number includes specialist Fire and Rescue Units, Command Units and Turntable Ladders vital for high-rise, Urban Search and Rescue and hazardous materials incidents.

The Trade Union suggests these figures expose an organisation “operating beyond safe limits”, while also outlining that senior management of the Fire and Rescue Service have proposed a budget containing “£6 million in cuts” and £12 million of further unidentified ‘savings’.

At the same time, the Trade Union asserts that the London Fire Brigade plans to “borrow heavily for estates and a new headquarters”, while in parallel reducing operational budgets.

Again according to the Trade Union, the proposed 2026-2027 budget for the London Fire Brigade removes the entire uniform allocation, reduces investment in critical communication systems and delays community risk management projects intended to make improvements following the Grenfell Tower fire, the Manchester Arena attack and the culture review.

The Fire Brigades Union asserts that this approach amounts to a “false economy”, in turn risking firefighter and public safety.

Further havoc

Adam Shaw, regional treasurer for London at the Fire Brigades Union, observed: “This budget will determine whether London can rely on its Fire and Rescue Service when disaster strikes. If the London Fire Brigade cannot crew its fire engines or deliver its risk management plan, the Mayor of London and the Commissioner must act now.”

Gareth Cook, regional organiser for the Fire Brigades Union, commented: “It’s just over two years since the 2022 wildfire crisis when 39 fire engines were off the run during a major incident. We’re in exactly the same place now. The proposed austerity budget will only wreak further havoc on the Fire and Rescue Service. Londoners deserve better.”

Jon Lambe, regional secretary for London at the Fire Brigades Union, explained: “Senior leaders of the London Fire Brigade cannot claim to be keeping Londoners safe while 30 fire engines are unavailable due to cuts to firefighter crews. The Fire and Rescue Service is operating beyond safe limits. It’s overstretched and severely under-resourced.”

Lambe added: “On Bonfire Night, the Fire and Rescue Service received over 800 calls in London, yet we have fewer firefighters and resources to respond to increasing incidents due to years of cuts. We’re seeing millions of pounds being borrowed for property, while front line equipment faces being written off. This false economy will put the people of London at greater risk.”