Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

Dave Robertson Excerpts
Thursday 31st October 2024

(4 days, 18 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Dave Robertson Portrait Dave Robertson (Lichfield) (Lab)
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Since 2011, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has lost 437 full-time equivalent firefighters. More than that, the number of on-call and retained firefighters has dropped by more than 60% from 483 to just 189. That is a significant drop in the amount of fire cover, and the cuts have been 1.5 times deeper than in any comparable rural fire service. Does the Leader of the House agree that it is a pressing issue, and will she consider a debate on the adequacy of fire cover across the country?

Lucy Powell Portrait Lucy Powell
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I know from my own constituency that such matters are raised all the time. Fire cover, and having adequate fire officers, is very important to local communities. Budgets have been cut in recent years and I know that Home Affairs Ministers take that very seriously. Home Office questions are coming up shortly, and I am sure that my hon. Friend would get a good response.