Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (England)

David Lammy Excerpts

Monday 15th December 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Lammy (Tottenham) (Lab)]

Will the hon. Lady give way?

[Penny Mordaunt]

I will make some progress.

In 2008-09 the taxpayer topped up the firefighters’ pension fund with £260 million, just to meet that year’s expenditure. In 2012-13, the top-up was £370 million. The top-up is forecast to rise to nearly £600 million by 2018-19, an increase of £340 million over 10 years. I am sure that Members on both sides of the House would agree that it is not fair to expect taxpayers to meet all the increased costs—

[Mr Lammy]

Will the Minister give way?

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

Order. Mr Lammy, the Minister is not giving way.

--- Later in debate ---

[Penny Mordaunt]

I will turn to the issues of contention, but I will take interventions.

[Mr Lammy]

I am grateful to the Minister. Does she accept that one of the most serious incidents in the past few years that we asked firefighters to deal with were the riots that went on for four days? Does she accept that the taxpayer wants firefighters who are fit? Does she accept that 60 is too old, and that a fitness test they cannot meet causes huge concern in constituencies such as mine?

[Penny Mordaunt]

I will take an intervention from my hon. Friend.