Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service deploys body worn cameras on frontline

by Featured NewsPPEProjects

Body worn cameras introduced across GMFRS operations

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is introducing body worn cameras for firefighters across 41 stations following recommendations from the Manchester Arena Inquiry.

GMFRS said the cameras will provide a real-time record of incidents, capturing video and audio to support decision-making and operational review.

A total of 233 cameras will be issued, with all 52 fire appliances carrying a device.

Frontline officers will receive the cameras first, followed by prevention and protection teams and the incident command academy.

The devices record high-definition video and audio during incidents, creating a record of what crews see and hear.

The cameras can livestream footage to senior officers, allowing incidents to be viewed as they unfold and supporting oversight during complex situations.

rollout informed by Manchester Arena Inquiry findings

The Manchester Arena Inquiry highlighted the need to capture clear information and record decision-making during major incidents involving multiple emergency services.

The cameras will be used at incidents including house fires and road traffic collisions, as well as larger emergencies.

Footage will support post-incident review and training, helping crews assess how incidents were managed.

The rollout follows a pilot in May 2025 where the cameras were tested in real incident conditions.

The trial showed the devices could provide a reliable record of events and give senior leaders visibility of incidents through livestreaming.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Carlos Meakin said: “Introducing body worn cameras is a significant step forward for our Service.

“It’s about giving firefighters the tools they need to work safely and effectively at complex or fast-moving incidents, while also helping to protect our crews by providing a clear record of the challenges they face on the frontline.

“The ability to livestream footage and review it afterwards will strengthen how we support crews on the ground, improve training, and enhance how we respond to major emergencies.

“This investment reflects our commitment to learning from the Manchester Arena Inquiry and continuing to strengthen how we respond to incidents across Greater Manchester.”

Fire Brigades Union representative Dave Pike said: “The Fire Brigades Union played an active part in supporting its members throughout the Manchester Arena Inquiry and supports the outcomes that were reached.

“It’s important that new technology supports our members in doing their jobs safely and provides a clear and accurate record of incidents.

“These cameras will help protect our members, support learning and ensure there is transparency about what happens at incidents.”

The rollout will continue across the service following the initial deployment to frontline officers.

Fire Brigades Union criticises lifestyle references in London contaminants report

by Featured NewsHealth and SafetyIndustry Comment

Lifestyle references criticised by the Fire Brigades Union

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has responded to the London Assembly Fire Committee report Exposure to fire contaminants in London: A hidden, growing risk?.

In its statement, the FBU said the report includes a recommendation referring to “positive lifestyle changes, including smoking cessation, physical fitness, diet, sleep hygiene, and alcohol awareness”.

Steve Wright, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said: “Firefighters are dying younger and living with life-altering cancers and chronic illness.

“These are preventable occupational deaths, and this is a national scandal.

“The UK is decades behind other countries on this issue, and this report underlines the urgent need for basic, long-overdue measures: stronger prevention measures, regular health monitoring for all firefighters, and re-evaluation of compensation for firefighters’ occupational diseases.

“However, firefighters will rightly find the references to ‘lifestyle’ offensive.

“Firefighters are not getting sick because of personal choices – they are getting sick because they are being systematically exposed to toxic substances in the course of their work.

“When so many other countries and international bodies are doing the right thing and recognising the risks firefighters face, it is time for our own government to stop ignoring the evidence and act.”

Anna Stec, Professor of Fire Chemistry and Toxicity at the University of Lancashire, said: “While the report makes positive recommendations on the need for a UK-wide rollout of harmonised contamination exposure tracking and health monitoring for firefighters, the argument that firefighter cancers and diseases could be reduced through lifestyle changes is fallacious.

“Lifestyle factors influence health outcomes in any population, but they do not explain the elevated rates of cancer and disease seen in firefighters.

“Why should firefighters be expected to adopt such changes in order to compensate for the toxic environments they are routinely exposed to at work?”

Report findings and recommendations highlighted in the statement

The FBU statement also set out points from the London Assembly Fire Committee report, including its warning that firefighters in London may be routinely exposed to hazardous substances released during fires.

The findings identify asbestos, heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants among contaminants present at incidents.

The Committee notes that definitive UK evidence on cancer causation is still emerging.

Research presented to the Committee shows higher cancer incidence and abnormal tumour markers among firefighters compared with the general population.

The FBU said research it commissioned found that 4% of firefighters surveyed, around 1 in 25, reported a cancer diagnosis in a self-reported sample of more than 11,000 personnel.

Prevalence was highest among those aged 35 to 39, around three times the rate seen in the general population.

Between 10% and 15% of respondents were recorded as having abnormal tumour markers, compared with a control group drawn from the public.

The Committee concludes that the London Fire Brigade (LFB) Fire Contaminants Policy has shifted attitudes away from the “badge of honour” of dirty kit.

Implementation varies widely across stations, partly because of limitations in personal protective equipment availability and older station layouts.

The Committee urges the Government and the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) to reduce firefighters’ exposure to fire contaminants.

Recommendations include creating a UK-wide exposure and health monitoring programme for firefighters.

A pilot of operational exposure monitoring in London is also proposed.

Further measures call for stronger training, assurance and compliance with fire contaminants policies, improved PPE supply and procurement planning, and greater emphasis on health promotion within occupational health services.

The Committee also asks the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) to review evidence on cancer risks linked to firefighting.

Chair of the London Assembly Fire Committee Zack Polanski AM said: “Fires don’t end when the flames are out as toxic contaminants can remain long afterward.

“Firefighters accept risk as part of the job, but exposure to toxic chemicals should not be an unavoidable consequence of protecting the public.

“While London Fire Brigade has made real progress, this report shows more needs to be done to understand and reduce the long-term health risks firefighters face.”

The report links decontamination practices, station design and long-term health monitoring as related areas for further action.

FBU urges MPs to back public ownership in water legislation

by Featured NewsFloodingSafety

FBU reaction to the water white paper

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has called for water to return to public ownership following the Westminster government’s white paper, A new vision for water, released on 20 January 2026.

The FBU said the white paper followed the Cunliffe Review, which it stated was prevented at looking at ownership models.

FBU general secretary Steve Wright said: “The UK water industry has failed to invest for decades.

“Over that period, shareholders have extracted enormous profits while costs to users have rocketed.

“In 2020, while seeking election as Labour leader, Keir Starmer recognised this failure and promised to bring water back into public ownership.

“The Water White Paper could have been an opportunity to make good on that promise.

“But however strongly worded, regulation is not the solution.

“Regulation has failed.

“We need real change, not half measures.

“The country needs action, not a PR exercise.

“Public ownership is the only solution to this public emergency.

“It is the only sure way to ensure adequate investment in maintenance, infrastructure and future-proofing.

“The FBU calls on all MPs to ensure any legislation delivers this.

“Decrepit water supply and appalling sewage management must be fixed as a matter of urgency.

“All aspects of this failure must be addressed.

“We are almost alone in the world in having a fully privatised water system.

“It is expensive, dangerous and unreliable.

“It is not the job of the Labour Party to uphold hard-line Thatcherite models of ownership.

“It’s time to end this failed experiment and bring water back into public ownership.”

What the union is asking MPs to do

The union called on MPs to ensure any legislation delivers public ownership.

It also said decrepit water supply and appalling sewage management must be fixed as a matter of urgency.

Climate risks prompt fire and rescue funding demands from FBU and NGOs

by Featured NewsWildland Fire

Climate groups back FBU call ahead Budget

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has coordinated a joint letter urging the UK government to increase funding for the fire and rescue service in response to climate-related risks.

The union said the intervention comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to deliver the Budget and follows discussions at COP30 on the global response to the climate crisis.

According to the letter, addressed to the Chancellor and Environment Secretary Ed Miliband, environmental and tax justice organisations including Greenpeace, Tax Justice UK, Friends of the Earth, Tipping Point UK and Global Justice Now have joined the call.

The signatories stated that the UK is “dangerously under-prepared” for the growing threat of wildfires, flooding and the wider impacts of climate change and that current arrangements do not match the risk profile set out in government assessments.

The letter asks the government to commit to substantial, long-term investment in fire and rescue provision across the UK as part of wider climate adaptation measures.

The signatories of the joint letter said: “But we also need to adapt.

“There is stark evidence that the UK is dangerously under-prepared for the growing threat of wildfires, flooding, and the wider impacts of the climate crisis.”

Wildfire and flooding risks set out for UK

The letter cites data from the Global Wildfire Information System indicating that by November 2025, wildfires had burned 47,026 hectares in the UK, the largest area recorded since monitoring began in 2012.

According to the signatories, this figure is more than double the area affected during the record-breaking summer of 2022.

Scientific projections referenced in the letter state that the number of days with “very high” fire danger is expected to triple by the 2050s and increase more than five-fold by the 2080s.

The projected rise in fire danger is described as a threat to public safety across the UK, with a particular concentration in southern and eastern England.

The signatories also reference the Met Office’s UK Climate Projections, which indicate that the risk of intense rainfall is increasing sharply.

Evidence from the Committee on Climate Change and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is cited as pointing to higher flood risk across the UK, including from seas, rivers and surface water.

The letter notes that the government’s National Risk Register already lists both wildfires and severe flooding as major national threats capable of causing prolonged disruption to infrastructure, utilities, transport networks and public health.

The signatories argue that, despite this assessment, there is currently no UK-wide strategy to prepare fire and rescue services for climate impacts and no dedicated investment programme aimed at building resilience.

Funding model for fire and rescue challenged

The FBU and co-signatories state that the fire and rescue service has lost nearly 12,000 firefighters since 2010, which they describe as one in five posts.

According to the letter, central government funding for the service has fallen by 30% in cash terms over the same period, with a steeper reduction once inflation is taken into account.

The signatories argue that these trends have contributed to equipment shortages, under-staffed control rooms and gaps in protective gear, with off-duty firefighters frequently recalled during extreme incidents.

The letter references a wildfire in Holt Heath, Dorset, in August 2025, where 17 fire and rescue services were mobilised, including crews from Greater Manchester and Merseyside.

It states that many firefighters attending that incident did not have specialist wildfire personal protective equipment (PPE), which the signatories say exposed crews to increased risks of heat stroke, exhaustion and burns.

The signatories also highlight the 2022 heatwave in London, when temperatures reached 40°C and 39 fire engines reportedly remained uncrewed due to firefighter shortages.

The letter states that this year’s Local Government Settlement from the Treasury has put fire and rescue services on a path towards further cuts.

Modelling by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), as cited in the letter, indicates that up to £102 million could be removed from fire and rescue budgets to address funding shortfalls, which the signatories say would further weaken major incident response.

The signatories concluded that this approach “is not a sustainable or safe model for climate resilience.”

They are calling for new central government funding to ensure sufficient firefighters, emergency fire control staff and specialist resources to meet wildfire and flooding risks.

They also want a statutory duty for fire and rescue services in England to respond to flooding, in line with existing arrangements in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

The letter further calls for a UK-wide wildfire resilience strategy developed with the FBU and other stakeholders, with the aim of establishing consistent standards for planning, training and operational response.

The signatories said: “We urge you to act decisively to provide the investment, strategy and leadership that firefighters and the communities they protect urgently need to tackle the realities of climate change.”

Climate funding call and its impact on UK services

Fire and rescue chiefs and senior officers may need to review staffing models, resource allocation and specialist capability if the government responds positively to the funding proposals set out in the letter.

Emergency and disaster response managers could face changes in planning assumptions if projections about increased wildfire danger and intense rainfall are used to reshape national risk and resilience frameworks.

Procurement officers and equipment specifiers may see greater focus on specialist wildfire PPE and flood response capability if new investment is directed towards addressing the gaps described for incidents such as the Holt Heath wildfire.

Government departments responsible for local government finance and climate adaptation could have to balance NFCC modelling on potential £102 million cuts against the call from the FBU and partner organisations for expanded climate-related duties.

Training officers and instructors might need to adapt programmes to align with any UK-wide wildfire resilience strategy that sets new standards for planning, training and operational response across services.

Risk assessors and fire engineering consultants could use the combination of Met Office, Committee on Climate Change and DEFRA evidence cited in the letter to inform advice on community risk management plans and infrastructure resilience.

Fire and rescue service funding appeal follows surge in bonfire night emergencies

by ActiveAssociations and OrganisationsFeatured NewsSafety

Fire Brigades Union calls for emergency funding

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has urged the UK government to fund the fire and rescue service in the upcoming Budget, saying services are overstretched during one of the busiest times of the year.

According to the FBU, Bonfire Night again exposed a lack of resources across fire and rescue services, with crews responding to a sharp rise in incidents.

The latest government figures show that fire and rescue services in England attended 165,697 fires in the year to June 2025, representing a 28% increase compared to the previous year.

Overall incident attendance reached 628,764, marking a 25% increase over the past decade.

The FBU said the rise was largely driven by a 52% increase in outdoor primary fires, which are incidents causing harm to people or damage to property.

Fire-related fatalities also rose to 279 deaths in the same period, up 21% on the previous year, with 208 of those occurring in house fires.

Steve Wright, Fire Brigades Union General Secretary, said: “The fire and rescue service is on its knees after another round of deadly funding cuts, and firefighters are working to save lives under more pressure than ever.

“It also allows us to coordinate better with neighbouring services.

“Latest figures show a dramatic increase in serious fire incidents, with outdoor fires rising by over 50%.

“We have seen fire and rescue services pushed beyond limits responding to major wildfire incidents throughout the year, which are only predicted to worsen with the climate crisis.

“The loss of 1 in 5 firefighter posts since 2010 means fire cover and resilience have been decimated across the UK.

“The outcome is that it takes longer for fire engines to arrive at incidents, when every second counts.

“Political decisions to cut funding are tragically reflected in rising fatalities.

“The FBU is calling on the government to tax the ultra rich to fund our vital public services.

“To save lives, Rachel Reeves’ upcoming Budget must include a progressive wealth tax to rebuild the fire and rescue service.”

Attacks on firefighters condemned amid bonfire night incidents

Alongside calls for funding, both the FBU and the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) condemned reports of attacks on firefighters during bonfire night incidents.

NFCC Chair Phil Garrigan said: “It is appalling to see firefighters and other emergency service colleagues come under attack while doing their duty and protecting their communities.

“Their bravery should never be met with violence or abuse.

“Attacks on firefighters, like all emergency workers, are serious criminal offences that can carry custodial sentences.

“Those responsible for these disgraceful acts must be held accountable and brought to justice.”

In Scotland, the FBU said firefighters were pushed “far beyond safe limits” as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service reported more than 700 calls on 5 November.

The London Fire Brigade recorded 821 calls on the same night, the highest since 2016.

The union said attacks included a Merseyside crew targeted with fireworks while tackling a tower block fire.

Steve Wright said: “Firefighters are humanitarian workers, dedicated to saving lives.

“The last thing they need while fighting fires on the busiest night of the year is to come under attack.

“Fire and rescue services are severely under-resourced and overstretched.

“In the last decade, we have lost 1 in 5 firefighters to cuts.

“This means that fewer firefighters are responding to more incidents, and are pushed far beyond safe limits during periods like bonfire night.

“Cuts to fire and rescue service’s community outreach, and the axing of youth centres and services, are contributing to this chaos.

“The government must reverse austerity and fund public services to keep firefighters, and the public, safe.”

Union rejects political remarks on firefighter pensions

The FBU also criticised comments from Reform UK about potential changes to public sector pensions.

Steve Wright said: “Reform UK are a party led by millionaires.

“Firefighters will be shocked that the multi-millionaire deputy leader of Reform UK wants to raid the pensions of firefighters and other public sector workers.

“Firefighters put their lives and their health on the line day-in and day-out to protect the public.

“Farage and Tice are threatening firefighters hard earned pensions.

“The FBU will fiercely resist any attempt to cut the pensions that firefighters have already paid into.

“Firefighters’ pensions have been systematically attacked by various governments over the years, and Reform UK while professing to be different are clearly demonstrating that they are no different at all from those who have previously attacked firefighters’ pensions.

“In fact they intend to go further than previous governments ever did by getting rid of defined benefit pensions for public sector workers.

“In the forthcoming Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves must urgently introduce a wealth tax to properly fund public services, pensions and increase pay for all workers.”

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The FBU’s call for increased funding highlights operational strain across UK fire and rescue services.

Rising incident numbers, particularly outdoor and residential fires, indicate heavier demand on response capacity and equipment readiness.

Fire and rescue leaders may review staffing, coverage and community engagement strategies in light of these trends.

The growing frequency of attacks on firefighters also underlines the need for stronger safety measures and coordination with law enforcement during public events.

For policymakers, the data provides evidence of service pressure and potential areas for future resource allocation in the upcoming Budget cycle.

Fire Brigades Union warns of safety risks in Buckinghamshire service reduction plans

by Associations and OrganisationsFeatured News

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service faces proposed cuts

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service could lose eight fire engines and two fire stations under new proposals from the county’s fire authority.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said the proposals would see the number of fire engines in the county fall from 30 to 22.

A meeting of the Liberal Democrat–run authority is scheduled for mid-November, where a public consultation could be approved.

The FBU said Buckinghamshire has already faced some of the deepest cuts in England, losing more than a third of its firefighters between 2010 and 2024.

The union said any further reduction in capacity would seriously undermine public safety.

It added that the authority should focus on rebuilding and strengthening the service rather than making further reductions.

FBU calls for investment and recruitment

Mitch Wallace, FBU brigade secretary for Buckinghamshire, said: “Buckinghamshire FBU has consistently campaigned for investment, growth and resilience in our service. This county has already suffered some of the worst cuts in England, with more than a third of firefighter posts gone.

“It’s time to focus on rebuilding, recruiting and retaining firefighters rather than cutting more resources.

“This is especially critical in harder-to-staff areas, where crewing shortages put lives at risk.

“The fire authority should be lobbying the government for the funding we desperately need.

“The priority must be to invest in recruitment, retention, and resources to protect every community in Buckinghamshire.”

Southern region representative criticises “hollowing out” of services

Chris Wycherley, FBU executive council member for the Southern region, said: “For too long, fire and rescue services have been hollowed out by systemic underfunding and short-sighted mismanagement. Fire stations and fire engines are not expendable – they are essential community assets that protect lives, homes and businesses.

“Every closure and every cut leaves communities more vulnerable and erodes response standards further. Cuts today mean weaker response tomorrow.

“To keep firefighters and the public safe, we must invest in our fire services and ensure firefighters are available when emergencies occur.

“Local authorities should join with the Fire Brigades Union in lobbying government for proper, sustained funding. The future of our service must be built on growth, resilience, and investment – not a dangerous race to the bottom.”

National leadership links cuts to wider resource shortages

Steve Wright, FBU general secretary, said: “This summer, firefighters from across England were called upon to travel to the South coast to battle a blazing wildfire due to a lack of resources. With the climate emergency resulting in increasingly severe major incidents, it’s clear that the fire and rescue service is in urgent need of investment.

“Losing resources locally threatens the safety of residents, and impacts fire cover everywhere.

“The only way to keep the public safe is to invest in crews, so that when an emergency happens there are firefighters available and ready to go.

“Cuts kill. The FBU is calling on Labour to put an end to this dangerous austerity, and the union encourages all fire authorities, councillors, MPs, and members of the public to join the call for funding.”

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The proposed reduction in fire engines and stations in Buckinghamshire raises concerns for fire and rescue managers, command officers and policymakers involved in operational planning and resource allocation.

Reduced frontline capacity could affect response times and coverage, particularly in rural or harder-to-staff areas, creating implications for community safety and mutual aid planning.

Procurement officers, training coordinators and local authority partners may also need to consider how workforce reductions impact recruitment, retention and readiness strategies.

For senior officers, the development reinforces the importance of sustained funding and advocacy for service resilience at both local and national levels.

This article was informed by information from the following source: The Fire Brigades Union

Firefighters face rising battery and climate risks, says FBU

by ActiveFeatured NewsSafety

Lithium battery incidents growing across UK

Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright has called for greater investment in fire and rescue services to address the increasing risks posed by lithium-ion batteries and climate-related events.

According to the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), the comments follow recent data from the Office for Product Safety and Standards showing at least 211 fires involving e-scooters and e-bikes were recorded in 2024. In 2020, the figure was 26.

The majority of incidents occurred in London, but the figures are based on voluntary reporting by fire and rescue services, meaning the national total is likely higher.

The union said lithium-ion battery fires pose specific hazards, including the release of flammable gases and the potential for explosion.

These incidents are taking place alongside a documented rise in wildfires and flood responses, which the FBU linked to climate change.

Union cites cuts and slower response times

The Fire Brigades Union said that cuts to the fire service have weakened its ability to respond to modern risks.

According to the FBU, one in five firefighter posts has been lost in England since 2010.

It said these reductions have contributed to a three-and-a-half-minute increase in average response times since the mid-1990s.

Wright said: “Our equipment needs to keep pace with the advances in technology, and so does the training of firefighters that’s been cut over the years. Cars are more advanced, and lithium-ion battery risks are going up.”

He added: “Attendance to climate-related incidents has increased. I know there are climate change deniers in Reform, and I would love to have that argument all day with them because I’ve been on the front line. We’re attending more floods, more wildfires.”

Wright continued: “And because we are taking three-and-a-half minutes longer [to respond] compared with the mid-90s, fires are more developed. Firefighters’ safety has been compromised with the safety of members of the public.”

Lithium-ion fires pose new response challenges

According to the Office for Product Safety and Standards, lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters have been the cause of multiple fire fatalities in the UK.

These fires are difficult to extinguish and can re-ignite after being put out, the FBU explained.

The union also said these batteries can produce high temperatures and flammable gases, increasing the risk to both firefighters and the public.

It added that further investment in training and equipment is necessary to handle these incidents safely.

Climate-related incidents on the rise

The FBU linked increases in flooding and wildfires to climate change, stating that UK fire services are dealing with a wider range of incident types.

Wright said fire crews have seen more climate-driven emergencies in recent years.

He added that firefighters are now regularly deployed to incidents beyond traditional structure fires, which increases the demand on personnel and resources.

The FBU said more comprehensive planning and investment is needed to prepare for ongoing environmental changes.

Response time delays could increase risk

The union cited government figures showing a substantial increase in average fire service response times over recent decades.

According to the FBU, the additional minutes can lead to more fully developed fires and increased hazards for both firefighters and civilians.

It said that this makes adequate staffing levels and resource investment essential for public safety.

Firefighters face rising battery and climate risks, says FBU: Summary

Steve Wright of the Fire Brigades Union has warned that firefighters face growing risks from lithium-ion battery incidents and climate-related emergencies.

According to the Office for Product Safety and Standards, at least 211 e-bike and e-scooter fires were reported in 2024.

The FBU said that this represents a steep increase from 26 fires in 2020.

Most recorded incidents took place in London, but the total is likely higher due to voluntary reporting.

Lithium-ion fires are difficult to manage and can release flammable gases, according to the union.

The FBU said that response times in England have increased by over three minutes since the 1990s.

It attributed this to a 20 percent reduction in firefighter numbers since 2010.

Steve Wright said that fire crews are increasingly responding to floods and wildfires.

He added that more investment is needed in equipment and training.

The FBU has called for further support to address emerging risks.

FBU tells Labour to oppose UK welfare cuts or face consequences

by Featured News

Labour faces criticism over UK welfare policy

More than 100 Labour MPs have announced they will oppose welfare cuts being considered by the government, according to the Fire Brigades Union (FBU).

FBU General Secretary Steve Wright has written to Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging him to halt the proposals, warning that support from Conservative MPs could be required to pass the legislation.

Wright said the proposed measures would increase poverty among working class communities and could not be supported by the trade union movement.

He said: “It’s outrageous that the government is ploughing on regardless with welfare cuts in the face of such huge opposition among Labour MPs and the party as a whole.”

Wright added: “It’s possible that Keir Starmer will be dependent on the Commons votes of Tory MPs to pass this new wave of austerity for the most vulnerable.”

FBU demands full parliamentary opposition from Labour

The Fire Brigades Union said the party leadership must ensure that all Labour MPs vote against the proposed cuts when the issue is brought before Parliament next week.

In a statement, Steve Wright said: “That’s a shameful thing for any Labour Prime Minister to do.”

He continued: “There’s still time to abandon these cuts, which will plunge tens of thousands of working class people into poverty. The Labour movement has made it clear that Keir Starmer and Liz Kendall must change course.”

He stated: “A tax on wealth and profits is urgently needed to fund public services and pay workers properly.”

The union said its position reflected a broader concern across the labour movement about the direction of the party’s social policy platform.

It said the proposed changes would contradict previous party commitments to address poverty and strengthen the welfare system.

Warning from FBU of long-term political consequences

Steve Wright warned that pushing forward with the proposals would have lasting consequences for Labour’s relationship with trade unions and grassroots supporters.

Wright said: “But if the Prime Minister insists on pressing on with this assault on the welfare state, the FBU demands that every Labour MP vote against the government in next week’s vote.”

He concluded: “The Labour leadership will never be forgiven by unions, party members, and many of its own MPs for inflicting these cuts on the working class.”

The union has called for an alternative fiscal approach, including the introduction of taxes on high incomes and corporate profits.

According to the FBU, this would provide a sustainable funding base for services while avoiding further hardship for low-income households.

UK welfare reform proposals face internal Labour resistance

The proposed cuts have sparked disagreement within the Labour Party, with over 100 MPs confirming their opposition.

The FBU said this reflected a growing divide between the leadership and the parliamentary and membership base over social and economic priorities.

It claimed the vote could set a precedent for how the party approaches public spending decisions and its relationship with organised labour.

The Labour Party leadership has not publicly responded to the FBU’s intervention at the time of writing.

It remains unclear how the vote will proceed or whether further amendments to the policy will be introduced before it reaches Parliament.

Welfare vote timing and parliamentary process

The Fire Brigades Union stated that the vote on the welfare cuts is expected to take place next week.

It has urged immediate action by MPs to prevent the passage of the measures, which it says would reduce support for vulnerable individuals.

The organisation said the cuts mark a reintroduction of austerity policies and a departure from the party’s previous commitments on poverty reduction.

It said that if passed, the proposals would represent a shift in Labour’s approach to economic inequality and social security.

The union warned that future collaboration between Labour and unions could be at risk depending on the outcome of the vote.

FBU tells Labour to oppose UK welfare cuts or face consequences: Summary

More than 100 Labour MPs have stated their opposition to proposed welfare cuts.

The Fire Brigades Union has called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to reverse the plans.

FBU General Secretary Steve Wright said the cuts would increase poverty among working class communities.

Wright warned that the proposals could pass only with support from Conservative MPs.

He urged every Labour MP to vote against the government in the upcoming vote.

The union said the Labour leadership risked permanent damage to relations with unions and members.

Wright said a tax on wealth and profits should be used to fund public services.

The FBU said the proposals contradict previous party commitments on poverty.

It claimed the vote would shape future party policy on social support and spending.

No official response has yet been made by the Labour leadership.

Firefighters Union says Reform UK poses ‘direct threat to workers’ rights’ in UK by-election

by Associations and OrganisationsFeatured News

Firefighters campaign against Reform UK ahead of vote in Runcorn and Helsby

The Fire Brigades Union has reported that firefighters are campaigning in Runcorn and Helsby against the policies of Reform UK, which they say pose a direct threat to workers’ rights.

The union said the campaign comes ahead of the 1 May by-election and involves local firefighters distributing leaflets that criticise Reform UK’s record on public service funding, support for private healthcare, and voting history on employment rights.

The Fire Brigades Union stated that Nigel Farage, who has visited the constituency three times in recent weeks, is promoting policies that would negatively impact NHS services, schools and fire and rescue provision.

Union criticises Reform UK’s voting record and policy positions

The Fire Brigades Union reported that Reform UK has consistently voted against proposals to improve workers’ rights in Parliament.

According to the union, the party also supports reductions in public spending and advocates for increased private sector involvement in healthcare and other public services.

It said this policy direction would reduce the quality and accessibility of public services, affecting not only firefighters but also the communities they serve.

Fire Brigades Union general secretary issues public warning

Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright said:
“Trade unions have a responsibility to take a leading role in countering the rise of the far right. Farage and Reform present a direct threat to workers’ rights in our country.”

“Reform is a part of the establishment. We cannot allow their divisive anti-migrant politics to pit workers against each other.”

“Their policies and track record speak for themselves: threatening to slash and privatise public services, voting against improvements to working conditions in parliament.”

“Firefighters and other public sector workers are warning of the dangers that this far-right party presents to all voters.”

Local firefighter speaks out against party’s impact on the community

The Fire Brigades Union shared the views of Jack Fellows, a firefighter based in Runcorn, who is taking part in the campaign.

Jack Fellows said:
“It’s our duty as firefighters to fight for what is right and stand up for public services. We cannot stand by while Nigel Farage and his party attempt to divide our community.”

“Firefighters do not trust Reform. Farage pretends to be anti-establishment and a man of the people, but he was born rich and worked as a stockbroker. He doesn’t represent us. We see through the spin – his party is interested in protecting profits and the interests of the rich above everything else.”

“Reform has no place in Runcorn and Helsby.”

Firefighters say Reform UK poses ‘a direct threat to workers’ rights’ in UK by-election: Summary

The Fire Brigades Union has reported that firefighters are campaigning against Reform UK in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election.

The union said the campaign includes leaflet distribution warning voters about the party’s stance on public service funding and workers’ rights.

Reform UK received 18 percent of the vote in the 2024 general election in this constituency.

Nigel Farage has visited Runcorn and Helsby three times in recent weeks.

The union stated that Reform UK supports policies which reduce NHS, school and fire service funding.

It added that the party backs private healthcare and has voted against workers’ rights in Parliament.

Steve Wright, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said Reform UK threatens workers’ rights and public services.

Jack Fellows, a firefighter in Runcorn, criticised the party’s attempt to present itself as anti-establishment.

The union said the campaign is focused on informing voters ahead of polls opening on 1 May.

This news applies to the United Kingdom.