Liz McInnes New Year's Eve visit to Heywood firefighters

Liz McInnes with Heywood firefighters at Heywood Fire Station

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Liz McInnes MP, Labour Member of Parliament for Heywood and Middleton, visited Heywood firefighters on New Year’s Eve to thank them for their hard work and talk to them about the challenges facing Fire and Rescue services in 2016.

Firefighters from Heywood and other stations in Greater Manchester have helped countless families as part of rescue efforts following the devastating floods that have been suffered across the region in recent weeks.

Ms McInnes said: "I’ve visited Heywood Fire Station before, but it is great to be able to come and say hello again at this time of year when all our firefighters are working just as hard as they do all year round.

"I’m very grateful to members of Red Watch for showing me around and for taking the time to tell me about their work and their thoughts about the future of our Fire and Rescue services.

"Since 2010 our Fire and Rescue Service has struggled with huge cuts made by the Conservatives and Lib Dems, and now the Tories are planning even deeper cuts in the next few years.

"In the face of this uncertainty, our firefighters have remained professional, dedicated and passionate about their work and the vital service they provide.

"We owe it to them to give them the resources they need so that they can do the job they are trained to do, and the job we need them to do.

"I have already appealed to the government to support Fire and Rescue services, and I will continue to support our firefighters."