Responsibility for fire service cuts

WHEN Labour MPs complain about cuts to the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service it would be fair for them to also admit some responsibility, as

the only reason they are proposed is as a direct consequence of the largest peacetime deficit left in 2010.

Adding to the proposed cuts is a local error of £10.5m caused by the overclaiming of fire injury pensions which is costing the service £500,000 a year in repayments for the next 17 years and took £1.8m out of the service’s reserves last year.

One misleading claim being put round is that Tyne and I have in my company in Northamptonshire a Mr Billy (William) Telford aged 56 orginally from Walkergate.

After serving in the armed forces for 27 years he has lost contact with his brother David Telford, David’s children Darren, David or Deana, his sister Sandra and his muchloved son Aaron.

I have located his brother Collin who lives in Northants Wear is being picked on for cuts while richer areas are safeguarded, but the real reason for the disparity in funding is the low council tax base in the region and the consequent reliance on central funding.

Some Labour MPs are now proposing to change that funding formula – used during the last Labour Government – and make fire and police services more dependent on but I’m finding it difficult to find his family in Newcastle.

William would love to be reunited with his family.

He will be living back in the Newcastle area with British Legion help.

If you know any of his family please ask them to phone me please. GREG (AND WILLIAM), 07376 429 511 central government funding, leaving them vulnerable if the money runs out.

Doing this also removes any incentive for councils to address the low council tax base which is currently being helped by the new North of Tyne Combined Authority which, sadly, three councils have declined to join, forfeiting a share of £600m in funding.

Maybe a Jeremy Corbyn-led government could provide more money for public services but some may begin to question whether a party already promising £1tn in extra spending is offering just an empty pledge bereft of any sense of financial responsibility.

COUN ROBERT OLIVER, Conservative, St Michael’s Ward, Sunderland, Member of the Tyne and Wear

Fire Authority