Cuts

FBU members gathered outside Merseyside fire authority meeting

Crew of three plans deferred after FBU protest outside fire authority meeting

Firefighters staged a rally (above) outside a meeting of the Merseyside fire authority to oppose a dangerous reduction to crew sizes, resulting in a vote on the policy being delayed. The fire authority’s community risk management plan (CRMP) includes proposals to send firefighters to “non-life” risk...

Union research reveals the impact of 14 years of cuts

After 14 years of austerity there are too few firefighters to guarantee resilience and public safety, according to new figures obtained by the FBU. Freedom of information requests reveal that, since 2010, more than 8,000 wholetime firefighter jobs have been cut, while one in five retained...

Grenfell Tower Inquiry- Phase 2 Report

04 Sep, 2024

Circular ref

2024HOC0345MW

Grenfell Tower Inquiry – Phase 2 Report The final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry has now been published. The FBU was a core participant of the Inquiry, and we represented the interests of...

MP calls for rethink of Dorset and Wiltshire fire service cuts as FBU warns of risk to public

30 Aug, 2024 By Alice Dann

Labour MP for Poole, Neil Duncan-Jordan, has raised concern over cuts to Dorset and Wiltshire fire and rescue service. Following meetings with firefighters, the MP for Poole has called for “consideration of what the proposed change actually means for residents, businesses and firefighters”, stating...

Time to deliver: FBU national rally and lobby of Parliament

28 Aug, 2024

Circular ref

2024HOC0339MW

TIME TO DELIVER: FBU national rally and lobby of Parliament Investment | Standards | Workers’ rights In recent years, we have seen how much we can achieve when we stand together. Despite years of cuts...

A firefighter wearing breathing apparatus amongst smoke

New data reveals scale of job cuts in fire and rescue services across UK

26 Aug, 2024 By Alice Dann

New figures obtained by the Fire Brigades Union reveal that 12,000 firefighter posts have been lost to cuts since 2010, leaving the UK without the resilience needed to guarantee public safety. (1) One in five firefighter jobs (21%) across the UK have been axed in the last 14 years. One in three fire...

Fire Brigades Union responds to damning report into Oxfordshire fire service

25 Jul, 2024 By Alice Dann

The Fire Brigades Union has responded to the latest inspection report into Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Released today, the report by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) finds Oxfordshire fire service “requiring improvement” in four key areas. The...

Fire Brigades Union responds to Covid inquiry report with call for funding

18 Jul, 2024 By Alice Dann

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has published its Module 1 report, confirming the impact of austerity on pandemic preparedness. Responding to the report, Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said: We must never see a repeat of the Tories’ chaotic and negligent response to the Covid-19 pandemic...

14 years of austerity = 12,000 firefighters cut

01 Jul, 2024

After fourteen years of austerity, there are too few firefighters to guarantee resilience to the public, according to new figures obtained by the Fire Brigades Union.

Fire and Rescue Service Matters

BBC probe exposes impact of cuts and heavy reliance on overtime

Freedom of information requests by the BBC have revealed the devastating impact of understaffing on Essex fire and rescue service. Crews are frequently moved around the region in an attempt to plug dangerous gaps in fire cover. The service was found to have moved firefighters from their usual bases...

Subscribe to Cuts