Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn backed the campaign to give fire and rescue services more resources to tackle major flooding incidents, as he visited firefighters in Cumbria on Thursday.
Corbyn spoke to firefighters based at Carlisle East fire station who have spent the last week tackling the fallout from Storm Desmond. This was the same fire station David Cameron visited before the 2010 election where he promised that there would be no cuts to frontline services if he became prime minister. Since then the number of frontline firefighters based at Carlisle East has halved from 16 to eight today.
Future cuts could see 40 more firefighter jobs axed and five fire station closed across Cumbria.
The Labour leader praised the work of firefighters and was keen to hear what resources they need in order to tackle flooding.
Jeremy Corbyn said: “Not only is it imperative that flood defences are funded properly, we also need to ensure the fire and rescue services have the support to deal with floods. We must start by stopping the closure of fire stations, but also make it a statutory duty on the fire service to deal with flood and rescue so they are given the resources they need to adequately respond at times like this.
“I've been moved by people who have told me about the loss and destruction to their homes and businesses, but the unbelievable community spirit and the effort by the emergency services has been remarkable.”
