Thank you for contacting me about firefighters’ pay and the suggestion of strike action.
Let me begin by paying tribute to the remarkable work of firefighters in response to the record setting temperatures this summer. The heatwave served as an exacting test of our national resilience and contingency planning, and I am proud that fire services across the country rose to the challenge so successfully.
I understand people’s anxiety over rising prices and inflation. I want to assure you that the Government will continue to listen and to ensure that the policies in place do help those who need it most. I am aware that the Fire Brigades Union has announced that firefighters will start voting on whether to strike, after members rejected a 5 per cent increase to their wages.
Having spoken with my Ministerial colleagues, I must inform you that firefighters’ pay in England is the responsibility of the National Joint Council.
The Home Office though, does fund the National Fire Chiefs’ Council’s People Programme which supports the recruitment and retention of firefighters. It is also the case that Fire Reform White Paper, which was previously open to consultation with the Government now analysing the responses received, outlines plans to commission an independent review into the current pay negotiation process and consider if it is fit for a modern emergency service.
Further information can be found at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/reforming-our-fire-and-rescue-service
Please be assured I will be following developments on this matter closely.