Trade Union Bill - Government setbacks in the House of Lords
Lords deliver blow to government on trade union bill
The government’s trade union bill suffered three humiliating defeats in its report stage reading in the House of Lords on Wednesday night. Peers voted against the government by a margin of nearly 2 to 1 on amendments relating to electronic balloting, facility time and political campaigning funds...
Public don't want police takeover of fire service, Wrack tells MPs
The parliamentary committee for the Policing and Crime Bill heard from the leader of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) that there is no appetite among firefighters or the public for a police takeover of the fire and rescue service. Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, told the committee: “It’s no secret...
Government slammed for fire service cuts chaos, say MPs
The government are putting lives at risk by failing to recognise the true extent of budget cuts to the fire and rescue service, an influential House of Commons committee has said. The Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Labour MP Meg Hillier, slammed the Department of Communities and Local...
Government legislation swamping trade unions in red tape
The government is swamping trade unions with crippling amounts of bureaucracy in an attempt to silence their critics, a House of Lords committee has heard. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) was one of several organisations who gave evidence to a Lords committee investigating aspects of the government’s...
Police takeover of fire service will put public safety at risk
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is extremely concerned by the government’s proposals for greater emergency service collaboration which would allow Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England take control of fire services in their area. Both services have been under severe financial pressure due...
Parliament urged to act over dangerous Merseyside fire cuts
Merseyside firefighters have warned that the government is playing Russian roulette with people’s lives by imposing huge budget cuts to the fire and rescue service. The warning comes ahead of a parliamentary debate, due to take place Tuesday 26 January 2016 in Westminster Hall between 4:30pm – 5...
Firefighters' union urges Home Office to show real intent to rescue the fire service
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is urging the Home Office to show firm commitment to saving the fire and rescue service following the devastating cuts of around 30% imposed under the control of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). The Home Office confirmed last night (5 January)...
