In a circular to members Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, has paid tribute to all members who took part in the recent action over eight consecutive days, as well as updating members on discussions with the new Westminster fire minister Penny Mordaunt.
In a letter to the union the fire minister has confirmed that firefighters will be exempt from proposals to increase the minimum age at which a person can access their pension from 55 to 57 (for tax relief purposes) in recognition of the unique nature of the job firefighters do.
Wrack said: “The decision to exempt firefighters from such provision is very welcome.
“It was this issue which caused considerable difficulty during our negotiations with DCLG on and after March 19.
“Since the threat (of increasing the minimum pension age to 57) has been removed, it is to be hoped that DCLG enter a new period of genuine dialogue and make revised proposals for our members to consider.”
Matt Wrack has also written to Scottish fire minister Roseanna Cunningham regarding the latest discussions between the FBU and the Scottish government.
