NFCC and FBU issue responses to Government’s Spending Review

NFCC chair Phil Garrigan observed: “The Spending Review makes no direct mention of Fire and Rescue Services and that is concerning. Our communities already understand that firefighters are on the front line response to every major incident our country faces. We need Government to recognise that, too.”

Garrigan continued: “We have seen prolonged disinvestment in Fire and Rescue Services over many years. The reality of this is that we now have 11,000 fewer firefighters than we did a decade ago. We have fire stations that are falling apart and, on top of this, we have a big challenge in delivering consistency across Fire and Rescue Services.”

Further, Garrigan noted: “If we are to continue to keep communities safe and do justice to the incredible work of Fire and Rescue Service staff, there must be a fundamental shift in terms of how we value this service at a national level.”

In conclusion, Garrigan stated: “Our financial position is uncertain, but we are committed to working with the Fire Minister. Our hope is that Fire and Rescue Services will be supported through the broader settlement for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.”

End of austerity

Steve Wright, general secretary of the FBU, commented: “The Spending Review must represent the end of the austerity era. The Fire and Rescue Service has been battered by nearly 15 years of Conservative cuts that have left it ill-equipped to tackle the impact of climate change like wildfires and flooding, as well as keeping the public safe day in and day out.”

According to Wright, firefighters have been at the sharp end of this austerity and faced real terms cuts to their pay for nearly a decade-and-a-half.

Wright asserted: “The Spending Review must be a dramatic departure from that disastrous approach. The Spending Review must be the relaunch of the Labour Government, which has to deliver substantial funding for public services, pay workers properly and fund a generous welfare state.”

No more excuses

In stern words, Wright affirmed: “Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer need to start acting like the Chancellor and Prime Minister in a real Labour Government that taxes the wealthy to fund these priorities for the working class.”

Further, Wright said: “The Labour Government has belatedly seen sense and stepped back from the disastrous cuts to the winter fuel allowance. However, Labour must now abandon its planned cuts to welfare benefits, which will plunge tens of thousands of people into abject poverty and lead to a surge in food bank use. It’s time to permanently move on from austerity with a wealth tax to fund public services, the welfare state and pay. There can be no more excuses. Labour must break with austerity.”