Angela Watkinson

Conservative Party | Upminster

Fire Dispute

Angela Watkinson: Will the Deputy Prime Minister take the opportunity to reassure firefighters about those matters and harness the good will that exists among them to bring the dispute to a speedy resolution?

The Deputy Prime Minister: The hon. Lady asks an informed question about the present difficulties. It is true that the issue is not so much the money as the conditions and modernisation that go with it. We have insisted that modernisation goes with those wages. An awful lot of propaganda is being put out about what the deal means. Already pamphlets are being rushed out claiming that thousands of people will be made redundant and hundreds of fire stations closed. That is just not true. The new risk-based fire system would prevent that. It would mean not that there would not be fewer jobs than before - there are 2,500 fewer firefighters than there were 10 years ago. That is a matter of adjustment and change. There are fewer fire stations. Only a few months ago, two in Yorkshire closed down and were replaced by one modern fire station. Those things go on through proper negotiations. All I say to the firefighters is, "Sit down and negotiate - we have provided the framework - and introduce an intelligent change to work practices, to move to a risk-based system, and at the same time improve your conditions." We believe that improved public safety will also come from these proposals.