FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE FUNDING

Early day motion 2309, tabled 21 October 2008 by Hugh Bayley (Labour). Signed by 49 members.

That this House applauds the work carried out by the fire and rescue services across the country and believes that an efficient and well-equipped service is vital to the security and safety of members of the public and firefighters; is concerned that the increases in grant of 1 per cent. in 2008-09 and 0.5 per cent. proposed for 2009-10 and 2010-11 for the 10 authorities of North Yorkshire, Avon, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cleveland, Dorset, Merseyside, Hereford and Worcester, Lancashire and London, are below inflation and the likely level of pay awards; and calls on the Government to reconsider the distribution of funding to fire and rescue services in 2009-10 and 2010-11 and to reinstate the 2007-08 funding floor of 2.7 per cent. so that resources for frontline fire services are kept at a level which is safe for the public and firefighters.

Signatures by party: Labour 31, Conservative 6, Liberal Democrat 6, DUP 2, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UKIP 1.