RETAINED FIREFIGHTERS IN ENGLAND AND THE WORKING TIME DIRECTIVE

Early day motion 816, tabled 23 February 2009 by Lord Jackson of Peterborough (Conservative). Signed by 23 members.

That this House notes with regret the vote by the European Parliament on 17 December 2008 in favour of removing the UK's Working Time Directive opt-out; recognises the detrimental effect that the removal of the opt-out will have on retained firefighters; recognises that the 14,166 retained firefighters in England, approximately 30 per cent. of all firefighters, are a crucial supplement to the full-time force; further notes the opinion of the Chief Fire Officers' Association that the Fire Service could not function effectively without the retained duty system; further recognises that appropriate management in the Fire Service has ensured that retained firefighters do not work excessive hours with any negative impact on their health, safety and welfare; and further notes with concern the consequences the removal of the opt-out will have on emergency fire cover across most of the UK, as well as on the opportunities available to those who choose to serve their communities as retained firefighters.

Signatures by party: Conservative 9, DUP 5, Liberal Democrat 5, Labour 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.