By William Green
The Journal
NEW CASTLE, U.K. — The Government has been accused of “playing with people’s lives” by imposing cuts on North East fire and rescue services.
North East Labour MPs yesterday criticised Fire Minister Bob Neill for cutting funding for services, although he insisted they were getting a good deal from Whitehall.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Bridget Phillipson, Labour MP for Houghton and Sunderland South, said: “Tyne and Wear fire and rescue service has already made significant savings, including cuts of 28% to back office staff. But we are facing deep frontline cuts.
“Can I urge the minister again to look carefully at the situation faced by metropolitan areas, such as Tyne and Wear, and ensure he brings forward a funding settlement that is fair?”
She was joined by Easington MP Grahame Morris, who demanded to know what risk assessment had been carried out before cuts had been imposed on County Durham and Darlington fire and rescue service with 40 firefighters being lost.
Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham, said: “I am extremely proud of the Cleveland fire service, which looks after the highest industrial risk area in Europe. Their pro-active work in Teesside communities has driven down house fire numbers, they have gone down and down. And they’ve excellent working plans with local companies.
“I am told that due to the drastic agenda being pursued by the Tory Government, Cleveland have lost or will lose 180 firefighters.
The Government are playing with people’s lives.
“So, I’d like to know what the minister’s message is to people in my communities and who he’ll blame when there is a tragedy there.”
Tory minister Bob Neill said the Cleveland service did “excellent” work, adding the risks it faced was recognised by its funding per head of population being the highest in the country and twice that of many authorities in other areas.
He added that he had met metropolitan fire chiefs with meetings continuing at official level, but insisted Tyne and Wear had a good funding deal.
“In relation to Tyne and Wear, again the formula grant per head of £29 per head is above the average which reflects some of the risks,” said the Tory minister.
“And in fact, the formula was updated by this Government to give a greater weighting to population density.”
Responding to Mr Morris, Mr Neill said funding for County Durham and Darlington had been maintained at £21 per head over two years, with all metropolitan areas enjoying capital grant increases of between 50 percent to 80 percent more than under previous Governments.
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