Firefighters asked to leave jobs to save service millions (From Streatham Guardian)

Lambeth firefighters offered redundancy packages to save service millions

10:40am Tuesday 9th October 2012 in News By Lauren May, Chief Reporter

Firefighters have been asked to consider voluntary redundancy as London Fire Brigade bosses prepare to cut millions from their budget.

Letters have been sent out to all firefighters and non-uniform staff across London last week offering voluntary redundancy, as the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) look to make savings of £65m over the next two years.

It is understood £30m worth of savings need to be made between April 2013 and 2014, with a further £35 million to be saved the following financial year, on top of the £50m saved over the last four years from previous restructuring.

Mark Huxley, Fire Brigades Union (FBU) representative for West Norwood, said at this time no firefighters at his branch had put themselves forward for redundancy.

He said: "At the moment they are just trying to find out if anybody would be interested at all.

"They are offering the absolute statutory bare minimum with regards to any redundancy payment up to 20 years."

"Everyone is holding their position as this is literally only the first letter that’s gone out."

It is believed 800 jobs across the capital are under threat.

Mr Huxley said: "It must have some implications with regard to safe working practices by the mere fact that there will be reduced man power trying to do the same job.

"Not just with regard to the safety of crew but of the public."

The LFEPA formal proposals will be published on November 15, before undergoing public consultation.

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: "Like virtually every other public service, the brigade is facing the need to make savings.

"We have been given a target for these savings, and we are currently considering our response to this.

"All options are being considered but no decisions have yet been made."