FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE FUNDING

That this House applauds the work carried out by the fire and rescue services across the country and believes that an efficient and well-equipped service is vital to the security and safety of members of the public and firefighters; is concerned that the increases in grant of 1 per cent. in 2008-09 and 0.5 per cent. proposed for 2009-10 and 2010-11 for the 10 authorities of North Yorkshire, Avon, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cleveland, Dorset, Merseyside, Hereford and Worcester, Lancashire and London, are below inflation and the likely level of pay awards; and calls on the Government to reconsider the distribution of funding to fire and rescue services in 2009-10 and 2010-11 and to reinstate the 2007-08 funding floor of 2.7 per cent. so that resources for frontline fire services are kept at a level which is safe for the public and firefighters.