[Neil Terry Photography]
FIREFIGHTERS and Labour will jointly draw up plans to “transform” the fire-and-rescue service if Labour comes to power on Thursday.
Fire Brigades Union (FBU) leaders and firefighters met shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper today in West Yorkshire’s Dewsbury and Batley Parliamentary constituency.
The transformation plans will include the establishment of national standards of fire cover that will end a “de facto postcode lottery” following 14 years of Tory cuts.
Since 2010, one in five firefighter jobs has disappeared alongside 30% funding cuts — all while climate breakdown brings record blazes and flooding. It’s time to fund our fire service properly, writes FBU general secretary STEVE WRIGHT
The FBU is demanding 52 weeks of full pay for women firefighters, highlighting the unique health risks they face — and the continuing need to recruit and retain more women if policies like this are still not in place, writes SEONA HART
