The service has already lost 11,000 – one in six – frontline firefighters since 2010 and there have been stations closures and reductions in the number of fire appliances and equipment.
Firefighters and the fire service – especially through the Fire Brigades Union – have been voluble in their opposition to the cuts. A number of reports in regional newspapers have shed more light on the impact of the cuts, which goes beyond the service’s ability to respond quickly and effectively not just to fires but also floods, road traffic collisions, chemical spillages, civil contingencies, industrial disasters and terrorist attacks.
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This happened in 2011, the Tory/Lib alliance with home secretary May cut Protection staffing in order to find the necessary funding for Clegg’s hot school meal compliance. Most primary and junior schools had to have new kitchens often in new buildings and then all the staffing and infrastructure had to be put in place.
My county protection department was reduced by at least 50%, with the addition of the primary authority scheme, this resulted in less than 25% staff expected to cover the inspection requirements for the county.
This happened everywhere, but not necessarily in the Crown Agency?