Firefighters strike looks 'unavoidable', says Fire Brigades Union

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue

Strike action by firefighters in a row over pensions appears "unavoidable", the Fire Brigades Union has warned.

Talks with government have reached a stalemate, and the union said an announcement of strike action, the first in more than a decade, was likely soon.

The government called its pensions offer "generous" and said there were no plans for further talks with the union.

The government has offered to release full pensions to firefighters when they reach the age of 60.

But the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has argued that many will be unable to maintain their fitness standards that long, resulting in increased risk to public safety.

Alternatively, firefighters who had to retire in their 50s would lose thousands of pounds, the union said.

Brandon Lewis, fire minister for England, said that in the event of a strike, all 46 fire and rescue authorities in England had "robust contingency plans in place".