The manifesto of the Labour Party released yesterday (16 May) in anticipation of the general election on 8 June includes a commitment to employ more than 3000 additional frontline firefighters.

The party’s document also says that if they were to achieve a majority in the election, fire and rescue services will be made responsible for flood relief duties and that Police and Crime Commissioners will not be handed local control over services.

The Fire Brigades Union said they were delighted with these proposals, as well as Labour’s promise to abolish the current 1% cap on public sector pay. 

Matt Wrack, the FBU general secretary, said, “Having 3,000 more firefighters on the frontline is a promising start, and we welcome their commitment to review staffing levels across the service as a whole.

“Fire deaths have risen for the first time in 20 years… and response times to emergencies are getting slower. The service is in crisis.”

Original source

Fire Brigades Union