Anger over fire service funding

Fire chiefs have called for assurances over future funding for firefighters in Tyne and Wear after describing the current system as “ludicrous.”

Last December, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) received information on its provisional government funding for 2020/21.

Although figures revealed core spending power is expected to increase by 2.8% for TWFRS, it is the lowest rise of all fire authorities in England.

The funding boost also pales in comparison to the national average increase for councils, police and fire services of 6.4%.

With future funding remaining uncertain, fire bosses have called for action from government to safeguard services in the region.

“The figures clearly show that we have had the lowest increase this year of any fire and rescue authority, less than half the England average, and that is disproportionate to the risk as an urban and metropolitan area that we continue to face,” said Coun Nick Forbes, vice chair of the TWFRS Authority and leader of Newcastle City Council.

“How on earth the government can justify raising money in county areas but not in metropolitan areas, when we know that it’s deprivation not rurality which is the main driver of costs for the fire and rescue sevice, beggars belief.”

Coun Forbes added: “How on earth for example can we take on more members of staff and recruit more firefighters into positions, with ongoing salary implications for the organisation, without knowing in future years how much income the authority is going to have?”

“It’s an absolutely ridiculous and ludicrous way of planning public services.”