The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has condemned the government’s “ill-thought out” decision to impose further increases in firefighters pension contributions.

In changes that came into effect at the beginning of April, an experienced firefighter in the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme now pays 12.9 per cent in contributions, up from 11.6 per cent. Officers such as station managers are now paying 13.5 per cent in contribution rates.

Concerning the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme, younger firefighters will pay 9.6 per cent from next month. Another hike in pension contributions is likely to come into effect next year.

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: “Firefighters already pay some of the highest pension contributions in the UK. Firefighters will be angry and disappointed at this announcement. We will now be discussing with our members our response to these increases and to the government’s ridiculous proposals for forcing firefighters to work longer and longer.

“The government is ignoring all the evidence about the risk of making the pension unaffordable. They are ignoring their own evidence of firefighters opting out. They are pressing ahead with ill-thought out changes. Firefighters around the country are currently meeting to discuss these latest attacks, which seem designed to undermine and destroy pensions in the fire service.”

Share Story: