The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
MP claims fire safety at Leuchars base could be put at risk by privatisation.
MP and shop steward voice Leuchars concerns over award of MoD contract to Capita Business Services
Safety at a Fife army base could be compromised and jobs put at risk by the UK Government privatising military fire and rescue services, it has been claimed.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) will outsource the Defence Fire and Rescue Service (DF&RS), which provides 24-hour emergency service cover at Leuchars Station and is crucial to the safe operation of its diversionary airfield as well as the base itself.
Capita Business Services beat Serco to win the MoD contract, which involves the running of about 70 military fire stations worldwide and is said to be worth around £500 million over 10 years, despite a financial health assessment attaching the highest possible risk rating to the company.
The document awarded Capita a ‘health score’ of just three out of 100 – with 25 or less deemed to be a warning of heightened vulnerability.
North-East Fife MP Stephen Gethins has written to Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson calling for a rethink, suggesting the MoD has clearly not “learned lessons” from the collapse of Carillion and needs to ditch its plans.
SNP politician Mr Gethins said: “The privatisation of DF&RS is simply a cutback in services which puts safety at risk.
“Capita was recently stripped of a £400m maintenance contract and was rated with the highest risk warning via the MoD’s own report, yet the government thinks it is acceptable to award it this responsibility.”
Leuchars DF&RS firefighter and Unite shop steward Mark McLellan warned the outsourcing will lead to job cuts, a poorer service and a risk to safety.
He said: “The ability to deliver is not proven on this scale and the chance of failure is high.
“The taxpayer is buying new vehicles for a private company to make money. Why, when the money could be spent inhouse for the MoD to utilise and provide the right cover and enhance its own fire service?”
Mr McLellan fears any savings from the contract would be wiped out, with reorganisation and restructuring costs.
An MoD spokesperson said: “This contract will deliver a more modern and agile defence fire and rescue service by investing and improving in the whole range of firefighting infrastructure, equipment and training to improve fire fighter safety.
“Robust assessments have been made to ensure the financial health of suppliers ahead of any contract placement. We will monitor the performance of the supplier throughout the contract’s duration.”
The privatisation of DF&RS is simply a cutback in services which puts safety at risk. MP STEPHEN GETHINS