Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that firefighters are paid fairly.

The Government recognises the vital work that firefighters undertake in protecting our communities and it is essential that they receive a fair pay award that reflects their role.

Firefighter pay in England is the responsibility of the National Joint Council, comprising of representatives from both the employers’ and employees’ side. Any award agreed by the NJC is paid from fire and rescue authorities’ existing budgets. Central Government has no role in this process.