Further cuts to the funding of the London Fire Brigade could impact its ability to deal with major incidents such as major health emergencies or terrorist attacks, an independent report has found.

The review carried out by the former chief executive of the Greater London Authority, Anthony Mayer, suggested more cuts would harm services.

The LFB faced the deepest cuts in its history under former London mayor Boris Johnson, reports the BBC.

It closed 10 fire stations, removed 27 fire engines and cut more than 500 jobs to meet savings of £10m.

The review ordered by London Mayor Sadiq Khan when he became mayor earlier this year, examined whether the LFB needed additional resources now or in the future.

Mr Mayer said it was "important that the current budget gap is not allowed to widen further".

He added: "The service must continue to evolve and adjust to future challenges. Ring-fencing funds for potential major incidents and rehousing second appliances could make a big difference to the brigade's ability to maintain its readiness and resources to protect the capital, whatever the future may hold."

The review found despite cuts to frontline services the LFB had performed well.

It said the LFB continued to hit its target to be at the scene of an incident within an average of six minutes in nearly all of the capital's boroughs.

Original source

London Fire Brigade