Privatisation fear over fire service plan
LEGAL changes proposed by the Coalition Government could lead to the privatisation of English fire services, Shadow Fire Minister and Derby North MP Chris Williamson has warned.
The Government wants reform that would enable fire and rescue authorities to contract out their services "to a suitable provider".
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MP Chris Williamson says plans for the fire service could lead to privatisation.
But Fire Minister Brandon Lewis has denied that this move would entail privatising them.
Mr Lewis said he wanted the change in law to help fire brigades "fully mutualise", meaning that control would be handed over to employees, giving them more power over how they operate and the ability to expand by bidding for new business.
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But Mr Williamson says the wording of a letter from Mr Lewis to the House of Commons Regulatory Reform Committee suggests there is more to his plans.
The letter was written after Cleveland Fire and Rescue Authority said it was talking directly to staff and unions about the possibility of becoming a mutual in 2014.
In it, Mr Lewis sought the views of the committee on Government "proposals for a Legislative Reform Order that would enable fire and rescue authorities in England to contract out their full range of services to a suitable provider, including a public service mutual".
Mr Williamson said this wording suggested mutualisation would pave the way for privatisation.
He said: "Once the rules change, what's to stop the Government saying 'we are just going to privatise this'.
"Their record is one of attacking public services.
"And a private company will only consider getting involved if there is something in it for them.
"The day emergency services become about profit would be a dark day indeed for society."
A spokeswoman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said the move was "aimed at improving services rather than saving cash" and that fire brigades would not be forced to mutualise.
A statement from Mr Lewis said: "This is not about privatisation but rather operating in a way that ensures the public are protected by robust and efficient services.
"Local authorities will remain legally responsible for fire and rescue services even with mutualisation."
Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude added that mutualisation was already happening across the public sector.
He said: "Thousands of employees are forming mutuals and taking control because they're fed up with the wasteful bureaucracy imposed on them by the State and know they can do better."
The Government's proposed law change will now go out to public consultation.
4 Comments
by Derby_born
Thursday, February 28 2013, 3:04PM
“What did Labour do when they were running the country eh Chris?
"Since its launch in March 2006, the HSBC fund has acquired large stakes in 27 PFI projects, including Barnet, Bishop Auckland, Royal Blackburn, Stoke Mandeville, Central Middlesex and West Middlesex University hospitals.
It also manages the central London headquarters of the Home Office as well as schools and police stations. To boost its return to shareholders, the fund is based in Guernsey, the tax haven Channel Island.Shares in the HSBC Infrastructure Company (HICL) have risen by 25% in the past two years, adding £58.75m to its value on the London stock market.
During this period it has also paid more than £30m to investors through dividends.Under PFI deals, contractors are appointed by project managers such as HICL to maintain the building and provide cleaning, catering and other services. Although they are paid a flat annual fee, they invoice the health trusts for any additional jobs not specified in the contract. In most cases, the hospital is obliged to use its contractor.According to the National Audit Office, 59% of public sector managers said that contract variations worked out more expensive under PFI. A total of £180m was paid to PFI contractors for such extras in 2006".
http://tinyurl.com/ahuah7w
This is something you seem to rather conveniently forget!”
by ukandym
Thursday, February 28 2013, 2:37PM
“Seems to me this Government wants to wash its hands from any responsibility in anything, just when we need leaders. "Lets sell all of the family silver (setting up seperate official bodies to oversea it so we can get our noses in the trough) instead of investing in Britain" seems to be the attitude. Leave the fire service alone, the firefighters 'invest in the company' more than just their working time. And to say that privatisation will ensure "the public are protected by robust and efficient services" is an insult to those who save lives, and are ocassionaly confronted with situations too horrible for words.”
by SarahL123
Thursday, February 28 2013, 2:25PM
“Anyone else getting Deja Vu? If it ain't nailed down, privatise it - Policing, NHS and Education won't be far behind ( we're halfway there now!)”
by ukandym
Thursday, February 28 2013, 1:47PM
“"Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service. Oh, Notts have quoted you £500 for putting out your fire? Tell you what, seeing as it's you, £450 for cash."”