Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the 18 May 2022 White Paper on the Fire and Rescue Service, what assessment the Government has made of the potential impact of proposed legislative changes to British firefighter’s legal right to strike on (a) firefighter’s pay and conditions, (b) job satisfaction in the fire and rescue service and (c) job retention in the fire and rescue service.

The White Paper and consultation, Reforming our Fire and Rescue Service, does not include proposals in relation to firefighters taking industrial action in England. It commits to working closely with the National Fire Chief’s Council to review and strengthen business continuity plans and requirements to keep the public safe in the event of strike action.

The proposals in the White Paper seek to clarify the role of the firefighter, positively reform culture, talent management and diversity within fire and rescue services. It also commits to an independent review into the current pay negotiation process.