Campaign

Funding and pay for the fire service

I am writing to you as your constituent, but also as a professional firefighter who proudly serves the community you represent.

Firefighters across the country are facing increasing demands, from record-breaking wildfires and flooding, to risks posed by the unresolved building safety crisis, to increasingly varied non-fire incidents.

But the fire service is underfunded and undervalued. We are operating with 20% fewer firefighters than in 2010 and central government funding has plummeted. Our pay has fallen by 12% in real terms.

In many other public services, including teaching and nursing, workers benefit from structured pay progression. Firefighting demands years of training and the maintenance of critical, life-saving skills. Yet, once firefighters become fully qualified, there is no clear path for pay progression unless they secure a promotion. These positions are limited.

Morale and mental health within the fire service is under strain. Recruitment and retention are becoming serious challenges. If we are to maintain a world-class emergency response, we must ensure that we have enough firefighters and equipment, and that those on the front line are valued fairly and paid accordingly.

To solve any of these problems and save lives, we need investment from central government. Firefighters have been pushing for funding for many years for this, but we desperately need the support of local government and fire authorities.

That is why I am asking you to use your influence to:

*   Lobby for urgent central government investment in the fire and rescue service
*   Ensure that our local fire service backs improvements to pay and conditions, including structured pay progression, in national negotiations on pay

I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you further about this issue or to invite you to visit our fire station and hear directly from local crews.

Thank you for your time, and I hope I can count on your support.