Fire Brigades Union sets agenda at annual conference
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has used its annual conference to press the Labour government for increased public investment, oppose rising far-right influence, and demand immediate funding for the UK fire and rescue service.
According to the FBU, general secretary Steve Wright criticised the government’s ongoing austerity measures and said alternative tax proposals outlined by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner offered a different path.
Conference motions passed by firefighter delegates also condemned far-right political messaging and called for collective action to protect workers’ rights.
In a separate resolution, the FBU urged the government to commit urgent investment in fire and rescue, warning that current funding leaves the UK exposed to serious risks.
FBU supports higher taxation on wealth to end austerity
The Fire Brigades Union responded to reports of a memo from Angela Rayner to the Chancellor suggesting alternatives to welfare cuts, including a rise in corporation tax for banks and reinstating the lifetime pensions allowance.
Steve Wright, general secretary of the FBU, said: “Angela Rayner was right to push for higher taxes on the wealthy in the Chancellor’s spring statement.
“It’s clear from the deputy Prime Minister’s intervention that the government has an alternative to making Thatcherite cuts to the Welfare State.
“There’s still time for Rachel Reeves to abandon the disastrous austerity that will leave pensioners in the cold, plunge disabled people into poverty, and drive living standards down even further.
“Instead, the Chancellor must tax the rich to end austerity and properly fund public services and pay. It’s time for a wealth tax.”
The FBU stated that the proposed tax changes would provide a fairer route to funding essential public services, including fire and rescue.
Union warns Labour against adopting far-right rhetoric
Delegates passed a motion warning that far-right political movements pose a direct threat to workers’ rights and public services. The FBU criticised Labour leader Keir Starmer’s recent language on migration, likening it to past far-right rhetoric.
Steve Wright, general secretary of the FBU, said: “The rising influence and electoral gains of the far-right presents an imminent threat to workers in the UK.
“Reform UK is listed as a private company, with multimillionaire property developer Richard Tice pulling the strings alongside Nigel Farage.
“It is a party of big business masquerading as anti-establishment.
“Trump is setting a precedent in the US, attacking jobs and living standards of US workers while promoting tax cuts for billionaires.
“These profiteers are seeking power with the aim of driving extreme privatisation and deregulation.
“Worker’s wages, living standards and fundamental democratic rights will come under vicious attack.
“If all the Labour government can do is echo Reform’s rhetoric and attack migrants, we face a dangerous future.
“Surrendering to the far-right will not defeat it.
“As a Labour affiliated union, we will be making that case through the NEC, at party conference and with ministers.
“The only alternative is to offer a vision of hope.
“That starts with a wealth tax and an end to austerity.”
The FBU committed to mobilising its membership to counter far-right narratives at both community and political levels.
Fire service cuts leave UK exposed to climate and safety risks
The FBU criticised the government’s failure to invest in fire and rescue services, pointing to a long-term decline in resources and staffing.
The union noted that since 2010, one in five firefighter posts has been eliminated, with central funding continuing to fall below inflation.
Steve Wright, general secretary of the FBU, said:”By failing to provide the investment the fire and rescue service desperately needs, the government is putting the public in danger.
“The UK is being left vulnerable to disasters.
“It is the government’s duty to identify threats to public safety and invest in the services needed to protect people from harm.
“Since 2010, central government funding for the fire service has been decimated.
“This year, funding fell below inflation again, amounting to yet another cut.
“The fire and rescue service is facing new challenges, with firefighters on the frontline of both the climate emergency and the building safety crisis.
“Labour must start reversing austerity in the fire service by committing to urgent funding in the upcoming summer spending review.
“That includes pay.
“This week, FBU members have voted to accept a pay offer of 3.2%.
“But we must see bigger pay increases in the coming years.”
The FBU highlighted that the Labour manifesto included a pledge to improve fire service resilience, and said this must now be backed by funding.
Union prepares for summer spending review
The FBU said it will be using the upcoming Westminster spending review to push for greater investment in fire and rescue infrastructure.
It stated that central funding must support not only personnel and pay but also equipment and facilities needed to respond to emerging risks.
The FBU called for multi-year investment planning to allow services to plan effectively for the impact of climate change, an ageing population and the ongoing building safety crisis.
It added that without this commitment, local fire authorities would continue to face operational shortfalls and the public would remain at risk.
Labour urged to match policy with delivery
While the FBU acknowledged that Labour had made policy commitments during the election campaign, it warned that without delivery those promises would remain unfulfilled.
The union said that conference resolutions would shape its engagement with Labour ministers in the coming months.
Delegates agreed to use all available party mechanisms, including the National Executive Committee and party conference, to demand action on tax, austerity, fire service funding and political messaging.
The FBU said it would continue working across the labour movement and with affiliated unions to build pressure for policy delivery.
FBU calls on Labour to raise taxes and reverse fire service cuts: Summary
The Fire Brigades Union held its annual conference in May 2025.
The union called on Labour to reverse austerity policies and restore fire service funding.
FBU general secretary Steve Wright backed higher taxes on the wealthy.
He said a wealth tax would fund services and protect workers’ living standards.
The FBU criticised recent comments by Keir Starmer on migration.
Delegates passed a motion warning of far-right political influence.
The union said Labour should not adopt the language of Reform UK.
FBU members also called for immediate funding for fire and rescue.
The union reported that firefighter numbers have declined by 20% since 2010.
It said current central funding falls below inflation.
The FBU accepted a 3.2% pay offer but wants larger rises in future.
It urged Labour to match its campaign promises with policy delivery.
The FBU will raise these issues during the summer spending review.