…Last week, I started a campaign, backed by Community, the GMB and the Fire Brigades Union, for the Scottish Government to take one simple step to secure the future of Remploy factories in Scotland. The campaign asks the Scottish Government to commit to procuring new police and fire unifor…

Political Party Press Releases

TUSC – Prominent construction activist Mick Dooley stands for Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition in the London elections

Tue, 20 March 2012 | Political Party Press Release

…ay 21 March 7.15pm at the Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, 235 Shaftesbury Avenue London WC2H 8EP. The main speakers will be Bob Crow, general secretary rail union RMT; Matt Wrack, general secretary FBU; Alex Gordon, president RMT & TUSC candidate; Ian Leahair, FBU national executive & TUSC candidate; April Ashley, Unison national executive & TUSC candidate in a personal…
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Non-governmental and International Organisation Press Releases

Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) – Leading trade unionists prepare to stand in the London elections against the policies of pay cuts for working people and tax cuts for the rich

Mon, 19 March 2012 | Campaign Organisation Press Release

Fire Services

Central Government and Agencies

DCLG – Securing the future of the Fire Service College

Thu, 22 March 2012 | Departmental Press Release

Contents

Fire and Rescue Minister Bob Neill has today announced the next steps in securing the future of the Fire Service College. Following a successful pre-market engagement exercise, the Fire Service College will be sold to a private sector company to continue operating as a training centre.

To ensure best value for money for hard-pressed taxpayers and enable the College to continue in its role a number of conditions will be imposed on the proposed sale. These include commitments that not only will the College be preserved as a national training college for the Fire and Rescue Service but that it will continue to offer wider national resilience and emergency services training and exercises.

Bob Neill said:

“The Fire Service College is an asset of national importance, with a world-class reputation and it is vital that we secure its future.

“My decision means that the private sector will be able to bring innovation and investment to the College, benefiting taxpayers, local residents, the Fire and Rescue Service and, ultimately, strengthening national resilience.

“I know there is real excitement about this opportunity out there in the market and I look forward to seeing some strong bids when the process opens.”

Notes to editors

1. The Fire Service College is a trading fund and executive agency of the Department for Communities and Local Government. Since becoming a trading fund in 1992, it has never been able to pay a dividend out of operating profits. This situation cannot persist and the Government’s response to Fire Futures on 12 April 2011 concluded that the College could achieve its full potential only if there was greater involvement from other sectors in its ownership, operation and governance.

2. The Future Options project considered four options for the future of the College:

· The status quo: the College remains as a trading fund of the Department

· A Government Owned Contractor Operated model: the assets remain under Government ownership but management of the College is taken over by a private sector company under a long term contract, together with the staff

· Disposal as a going concern: the College is sold to a private sector company who would continue to operate the College as a training centre

· Closure: the College’s activities cease, staff are made redundant and the site is sold for an alternative use.

Analysis of the four options showed disposal as a going concern to be the best option. It is the only option which both fully removes from Government the ongoing financial risks of ownership of the College and preserves a national training college for the Fire and Rescue Service.

3. A pre-market engagement exercise has been conducted to invite the views of external partners and to assess the level of private sector interest in the College. There has been real interest in this solution and we expect the College to go to market in early April 2012.

DCLG – Lose some sleep but save a life this weekend – When you change your clock, test your smoke alarm

Tue, 20 March 2012 | Departmental Press Release

Contents

The Fire Kills campaign is urging people to make a potentially life-saving move when they change their clocks on Sunday 25 March – by taking a moment to test their smoke alarm too.

Love it or loathe it, the twice-yearly clock change is a routine part of everyone’s lives. Losing that extra hour’s sleep on Sunday 25 March may not be appealing, but turning the clocks forward will already be on the ‘to-do’ list of nearly all UK households.

But while we all keep our clocks up-to-time and working, it’s shocking to realise that many people don’t bother to do the simplest of tests to ensure the safety of themselves and their loved ones from the danger of fire.

A working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999. But just half of all householders who own a smoke alarm say that they test it to make sure it’s working on a regular basis.

You’re four times more likely to die in a fire if your smoke alarm is not working. So it’s clear that the simple act of testing your alarm should be a vital part of any household routine.

There were 31,477 accidental fires in the home in England last year, which resulted in 214 deaths and 6,526 injuries. The Fire Kills Campaign hopes that by adding this simple check to everyone’s clock-change routine, many more lives could be saved.

The Government’s Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser Sir Ken Knight said:

“Everyone soon notices when a clock stops ticking, but it’s not so easy to be sure that your smoke alarm is still in working order. Whether the battery is flat, has been removed for a kid’s toy or the connection is loose, everyone should take the time to test their smoke alarm – it doesn’t take long at all.

“You’re four times more likely to die in a fire without a working smoke alarm, but only half of people who own one say they take the time to check it regularly.

“We’re all losing sleep at the start of British Summer Time, but testing your smoke alarm could save you from losing a lot more. As you put your clocks forward over the weekend, take an extra moment to push the button – it could save your life.”

Chief Executive of The Fire Fighters Charity John Parry said:

“Our charity aims to make a positive difference by supporting people in the fire and rescue community when they are in need. We know just how hard the fire service works to prevent fires from starting in the first place, so we are urging people to heed the advice of their local fire fighters now that British Summer Time is upon us. When you put your clocks forward this March, please take an extra moment to push the button on your smoke alarm to make sure it’s working properly – it could save your life and that of your family.”

Listen out for radio and press adverts supporting the ‘When you change your clocks, Test your smoke alarm’ campaign. An online video has also been released showing a mantelpiece clock melting in the heat of a house fire – bringing home the harsh reality of the consequences of a fire in the home. Find it at: http://bit.ly/FKclock (external link).

Find out more on the Fire Kills Facebook page: www.facebook.com/firekills (external link).

If you have an elderly relative or are a carer for somebody less able to test their smoke alarm, why not offer to do it for them? It only takes a minute.

Help keep yourself and your loved ones safe in the home by following these simple steps:

· A working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999. Make sure you fit one on every level of your home and test them regularly.

· Make testing your smoke alarm part of your household routine. Test the alarm by pressing the button regularly; change your battery once a year or invest in a 10-year alarm; and clean the alarm casing twice a year to ensure dust isn’t blocking the sensor.

· Whatever happens, never remove the battery in your smoke alarm.

· Make sure that everyone in your home knows what to do in a fire and practise your escape route.

· For more information visit the Fire Kills campaign’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/firekills (external link).

If you want an extra nudge to test your smoke alarm regularly, try setting an automatic reminder. Safelincs, in partnership with Fire Kills, has created a free service that reminds you, by email or text, when it’s time to test your smoke alarm, change the battery or renew the unit. The service is completely free and can be cancelled at any time: www.safelincs.co.uk/reminders (external link).

Notes to editors

1. British Summer Time begins on the last Sunday in March. This year the clocks go forward at 1.00 am on 25 March, moving forward to 2.00 am across the UK.

2. There were 31,477 accidental fires in the home in England last year, which resulted in 214 deaths and 6,526 injuries. (Source: Fire Statistics Monitor: April 2010 to March 2011www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/monitorq1q42011).

House of Commons

Statements

Neill, Robert makes statement on Fire Service College

Thu, 22 March 2012 | House of Commons – Written Ministerial Statements

Summary

The following written statement was made in the House of Commons on 22 March 2012.

Contents

Fire Service College

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Robert Neill): The Government’s response to Fire Futures on 12 April 2011 said that the college can achieve its full potential only if there is greater involvement from other sectors (whether private, public or voluntary) in its ownership, operation and governance and that we would

“explore with the sector and other organisations options to secure the future of the Fire Service College”.

Using evidence gained from the pre-market engagement to better inform our view of market appetite and taking into account the review commissioned by the Local Government Association, we concluded disposal as a going concern to the private sector was the best option to secure the future of the college.

The Fire Service College is a trading fund and Executive agency of the Department. Since becoming a trading fund in 1992, it has never been able to pay a dividend out of operating profits. This situation cannot persist and the Government’s response to Fire Futures on 12 April 2011 concluded that the college could achieve its full potential only if there was greater involvement from other sectors in its ownership, operation and governance.

With the college freed from the constraints of Government ownership, a private sector owner can bring innovation and investment to the college, benefiting taxpayers, local residents, the fire and rescue service and, ultimately, strengthening national resilience.

The Future Options project considered four options for the future of the college:

The status quo—The college remains as a trading fund of the Department.

A Government owned contractor operated model—The assets remain under Government ownership but management of the college is taken over by a private sector company under a long-term contract, together with the staff.

Disposal as a going concern—The college is sold to a private sector company who would continue to operate the college as a training centre.

Closure—The college’s activities cease, staff are made redundant and the site is sold for an alternative use.

Analysis of the four options showed disposal as a going concern to be the best option. It is the only option which both fully removes from Government the ongoing financial risks of ownership of the college and preserves a national training college for the fire and rescue service.

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House of Commons Questions

Brooke – Fire Services (Income Tax)

Thu, 22 March 2012 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will estimate the number of firefighters in each (a) region and (b) local authority area who will no longer pay income tax following the increase in the personal allowance to £8,105 in April 2012.[101545]

Robert Neill: My Department does not hold information on the pay of individual firefighters.

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Brooke – Income Tax (Firefighters and Local Government Staff)

Wed, 21 March 2012 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Annette Brooke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the number of firefighters in each (a) region and (b) local authority area who will no longer be eligible to pay income tax once the income tax threshold is set at £10,000; [101228]
(2) if he will estimate the number of firefighters who benefited from the increase in the personal allowance of income tax in 2011-12; and if he will estimate the likely number of firefighters who will benefit from the increase in 2012-13; [101229]
(3) if he will estimate the number of local government staff in each (a) region and (b) local authority area who will no longer be eligible to pay income tax following the increase in the personal allowance in April 2012; [101230]
(4) if he will estimate the number of local government staff in each (a) region and (b) local authority area who will no longer be eligible to pay income tax once the income tax threshold is set at £10,000; [101231]
(5) if he will estimate the number of local government staff who benefited from the increase in the personal allowance of income tax in 2011-12; and if he will estimate the likely number of local government staff who will benefit from the increase in 2012-13.[101232]
Mr Gauke: The June 2010 Budget announced a £1,000 cash increase in the personal allowance for under 65s to £7,475 in 2011-1-2 (£820 above the previous Government’splans), with the benefits focused on individuals on low and middle incomes through accompanying changes to the basic rate limit and national insurance upper earnings and profit limits.The 2011 Budget announced a £630 cash increase in the personal allowance for under 65s to £8,105 in 2012-13 (£240 above indexation), with an equivalent reduction in the basic rate limit to leave the higher rate threshold unchanged.As a result of these measures, the Government estimate that 22.6 million basic rate taxpayers will benefit in 2011 -12, among which 830,000 of the lowest income taxpayers will be removed from tax altogether.In 2012-13 the Government estimate that 25 million taxpayers will benefit, among which 260,000 of the lowest income taxpayers will be removed from tax altogether.These estimates are based on the 2007-08 Survey of Personal Incomes, projected using economic assumptions consistent with the Office for Budget Responsibility’s March 2011 economic and fiscal outlook.The information requested is not available specifically for fire fighters or local government staff.The Government are committed to supporting lower and middle income earners by raising the personal allowance to £10,000, and removing the lowest income individuals out of income tax.
Decisions on future changes in the personal allowance will be taken as part of the annual Budget process in the context of the wider public finances.

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Burley – Schools (Fire Sprinklers)

Wed, 21 March 2012 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Mr Burley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent representations his Department has received on the mandatory installation of fire sprinklers in new school buildings.[100266]
Mr Gibb: The Department has not received any recent direct representations on the mandatory installation of fire sprinklers in new school buildings.
We have recently received a copy of a letter from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Services to the principal of Staffordshire University Academy and others about sprinklers.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools, my noble Friend Lord Hill of Oareford, will be responding in due course.
We did recently consult on proposals to revise the school premises regulations: included in this was a proposal to remove specific references to fire safety in schools, as such requirements are adequately covered in the Regulatory reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Around 14% of respondents objected to this proposal.

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Swales – Prisons (Arsons and assaults)

Tue, 20 March 2012 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Ian Swales: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many cases of (a) arson and (b) assault there were by prison establishment in each of the last 10 years.[100929]
Mr Blunt: The numbers of assault incidents by prison establishment are published in the annual Safety in Custody Statistics bulletin.
Available figures, covering the period up to 2010 are shown in the following table.
The figures for 2011 are due to be published in July 2012.Fire incidents are monitored and recorded locally in each prison.
This information is held on central systems but data on arson by establishment have not yet been compiled for reporting.
A new system for monitoring health and safety incidents, including those related to fire, was introduced in 2010.
This will improve the range of central reporting available.

Table 1: Assaults by prison
	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
All prisons(1,2,3,4)	10,719	11,562	11,876	12,613	14,411	15,057	15,272	15,959	15,185	14,366
Acklington	37	52	42	37	43	81	74	63	102	85
Altcourse	202	218	213	239	243	235	280	198	242	321
Ashfield	514	561	341	395	680	761	753	748	475	526
Ashwell	16	9	11	15	17	14	20	20	12	11
Ask ham Grange	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2
Aylesbury	85	56	41	28	96	100	93	120	165	244
Bedford	41	71	59	60	57	87	49	71	74	101
Belmarsh	211	144	130	110	89	75	47	42	68	60
Birmingham	151	151	165	224	203	200	189	172	160	154
Blantyre House	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Blundeston	37	39	42	31	23	24	35	43	48	39
Brinsford	351	331	356	360	364	197	204	352	166	51
Bristol	142	165	113	149	126	129	89	109	90	86
Brixton	107	206	175	178	123	80	108	115	136	143
Bronzefield	n/a	n/a	n/a	59	182	195	142	194	171	141
Buckley Hall	44	59	110	98	90	75	49	36	24	44
Bullingdon	59	83	63	52	78	70	92	110	106	128
Bullwood Hall	—	—	—	—	31	22	13	17	7	21
Bure	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	—	21
Canterbury	10	14	14	16	19	17	24	38	36	39
Cardiff	51	63	64	70	70	62	31	23	25	27
Castington	404	425	370	443	412	406	431	462	457	159
ChanningsWood	7	17	25	33	51	63	71	73	61	68
Chelmsford	123	86	79	109	107	159	54	54	180	210
Coldingley	8	—	—	18	9	23	21	18	33	24
Cookham Wood	15	11	27	13	—	—	7	20	120	138
Dartmoor	80	36	32	21	44	36	37	55	40	29
Deerbolt	147	165	173	234	199	174	194	222	244	257
Doncaster	98	120	67	102	127	194	160	213	484	165
Dorchester	7	11	17	13	29	27	42	34	36	35
Dovegate	17	76	105	158	104	125	99	60	69	141
Dover	56	14	29	15	14	28	79	77	52	45
Downview	—	26	12	24	60	35	24	20	28	21
Drake Hall	—	—	13	7	10	7	21	9	22	22
Durham	81	91	99	115	136	194	186	185	154	170
East Sutton Park	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Eastwood Park	17	22	42	43	73	76	23	16	16	35
Edmunds Hill	—	—	56	52	34	40	29	26	38	46
Erlestoke	—	6	10	28	29	25	45	45	27	33
Everthorpe	10	12	7	22	52	80	83	70	71	68
Exeter	39	49	50	30	42	50	34	44	71	80
Featherstone	33	78	60	76	81	79	109	112	80	66
Feltham	466	549	674	751	698	596	544	648	713	772
Ford	—	8	—	27	22	10	10	13	—	6
Forest Bank	300	349	377	479	525	397	247	262	267	218
Foston Hall	23	46	37	34	40	51	56	23	31	20
Frankland	30	28	27	35	37	36	53	54	64	91
Full Sutton	35	16	34	40	57	63	61	72	64	61
Garth	37	45	34	32	66	74	74	111	95	61
Gartree	—	—	—	—	12	11	13	12	13	17
Glen Parva	254	268	275	273	300	387	422	510	594	394
Gloucester	61	68	53	68	54	72	55	69	83	56
Grendon/Springhill	—	—	—	—	—	—	6	—	7	6
Guys Marsh	61	45	47	54	47	72	90	85	69	66
Haslar	—	—	—	—	—	—	8	17	11	5
Haverigg	10	21	24	24	32	47	88	92	89	68
Hewell	208	322	323	286	245	220	270	190	154	159
High Down	87	148	151	178	143	206	185	258	180	156
Highpoint	171	179	105	113	90	104	103	110	117	93
Hindley	53	122	208	78	149	407	548	550	567	288
Hollesley Bay	293	200	49	—	—	—	—	—	—	1
Holloway	180	202	197	188	183	235	224	219	107	55
Holme House	76	85	110	89	116	123	145	114	130	133
Hull	119	102	123	198	201	147	175	109	132	112

Huntercombe	76	60	97	96	110	217	306	426	378	100
IOW: Albany	7	—	8	15	—	8	6	—	16	22
IOW: Camp Hill	37	55	80	60	66	61	67	87	53	70
IOW: Parkhurst	33	26	53	56	52	36	23	20	24	51
Isis	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	24
Kennet	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	7	27	41	29
Kingston	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	6	5
Kirkham	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Kirklevington	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2
Lancaster	19	14	11	8	12	13	22	16	10	8
Lancaster Farms	270	152	27	213	484	428	397	347	286	274
Latchmere House	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Leeds	163	156	237	178	147	123	111	100	105	102
Leicester	76	89	72	60	50	70	41	50	64	60
Lewes	113	106	126	72	84	92	82	156	111	91
Leyhill	—	—	—	6	7	7	7	—	7	3
Lincoln	108	107	85	81	84	76	113	160	85	102
Lindholme	10	23	65	49	46	50	73	80	58	55
Littlehey	38	37	45	47	52	44	43	24	26	118
Liverpool	113	136	155	160	154	187	258	259	231	217
Long Lartin	14	24	22	21	54	52	58	39	40	54
Low Newton	93	126	135	121	93	92	86	102	70	63
Lowdham Grange	20	27	28	41	65	125	95	88	42	74
Maidstone	13	19	16	26	17	12	26	19	18	17
Manchester	176	262	289	262	222	241	209	219	233	175
Moorland	194	199	161	47	114	107	106	110	92	93
Moorland Open (Hatfield)	16	28	11	—	8	—	—	—	—	2
Morton Hall	6	12	14	19	12	20	13	9	20	18
Mount	18	24	38	24	67	65	66	99	93	62
New Hall	97	75	58	97	113	108	108	90	61	40
North Sea Camp	—	—	—	6	—	7	—	—	10	8
Northallerton	65	90	102	110	118	91	108	106	77	102
Norwich	158	156	154	29	39	59	15	7	—	83
Nottingham	55	76	83	108	93	80	133	115	110	140
Onley	507	591	607	176	187	187	243	237	190	137
Parc	133	229	297	294	303	295	374	445	444	396
Pentonville	245	244	261	224	267	220	216	281	281	08
Peterborough	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	180	370	338	295	282	340
Portland	78	97	84	172	194	170	234	193	172	160
Preston	44	35	89	87	103	109	151	166	147	129
Ranby	26	50	48	22	35	69	59	95	94	91
Reading	6	13	30	41	93	72	54	37	51	44
Risley	26	61	82	140	137	136	135	135	75	88
Rochester	62	38	67	120	102	113	80	173	223	246
Rye Hill	51	30	40	79	119	114	110	50	28	78
Send	13	6	9	—	19	14	9	17	12	18
Sheppey: Elmley	101	116	110	127	165	120	156	165	128	133
Sheppey: Standford Hill	6	—	—	—	7	6	—	—	1	11
Sheppey: Swaleside	53	64	44	45	42	52	61	71	77	68
Shepton Mallet	—	13	—	—	—	—	6	—	—	2
Shrewsbury	45	38	58	46	56	36	46	46	29	20
Stafford	19	23	38	52	74	61	90	72	71	89
Stocken	37	48	50	43	52	51	69	73	53	68
Stoke Heath	477	293	158	280	498	578	606	561	479	450
Styal	34	22	16	41	39	72	104	59	34	45
Sudbury	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1
Swansea	8	15	24	20	24	36	20	29	29	29
Swinfen Hall	85	135	119	101	114	99	101	99	64	103
Thorn Cross	29	57	47	8	21	148	85	45	32	18
Usk\Prescoed	—	—	—	—	—	—	12	16	—	9
Verne	14	11	14	23	26	9	12	19	16	14
Wakefield	24	18	17	28	36	32	32	48	35	49
Wandsworth	135	135	130	163	166	107	133	96	127	145

Warren Hill	—	—	106	183	291	314	371	383	321	350
Wayland	20	33	76	61	63	58	69	76	68	81
Wealstun	15	11	16	7	12	31	30	56	33	53
Weare	25	59	63	61	27	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Wellingborough	9	14	20	14	47	63	40	90	129	101
Werrington	126	141	159	130	160	168	154	228	173	175
Wetherby	40	50	189	492	568	465	393	432	418	470
Whatton	—	—	10	6	—	12	28	33	27	13
Whitemoor	56	52	34	34	40	34	54	47	41	41
Winchester	32	59	80	73	59	45	31	32	60	65
Wolds	73	67	38	54	28	40	53	58	38	41
Woodhill	22	24	63	93	143	128	105	133	79	130
Wormwood Scrubs	96	127	135	205	203	213	209	192	160	208
Wymott	17	—	10	—	14	28	34	38	54	53
Escort areas	233	154	167	191	132	184	143	38	144	128
n/a = not applicable—prison not open ‘—’ indicates a figure less than six (1) Numbers less than six were not provided before 2009 so figures shown do not sum to the total. Figures for 2009 have been revised. (2) A new key performance indicator for serious assaults was introduced in 2003-04 and as a result reporting of all assault incidents improved. Reported incidents before 2005 are therefore not directly comparable with later figures. (3) As the numbers of assault incidents in each prison are relatively small, rises or falls from one year to the next are not a good indicator of underlying trends. (4) This table should be read in conjunction with table 16 which outlines some of the major changes to prisons. In addition to these changes some prisons may have opened new wings/ house blocks or closed others for refurbishment. Such changes often explain large increases or decreases from one year to the next at a prison. Data sources and quality: These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems. Care is taken when processing and analysing the returns but the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. Although the figures are shown to the last individual the figures may not be accurate to that level.

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Farron – Fire Services (income tax)

Tue, 20 March 2012 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will estimate the number of fire fighters in each (a) region and (b) local authority area who will no longer be eligible to pay income tax following the increase in their personal allowance in April 2012.[101094]

Robert Neill: My Department does not collect information on the pay of individual firefighters.

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Irranca-Davies – Emergency Calls

Mon, 19 March 2012 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average length of time was for an ambulance 999 response in rural areas in the latest period for which figures are available.[100449]

Mr Simon Burns: This information is not centrally collected.
The Department collects data on the response time performance of ambulance trusts in England.
The data are collected at ambulance trust level and do not distinguish between rural and urban areas.In January 2012, performance against the ‘A8′ target (75% of Category A immediately life-threatening calls should receive a response within eight minutes) was 77.9% in England.
Performance against the ‘A19′ target (95% of Category A patients requiring transport should receive this within 19 minutes of the request for transport being made) was 97.0% in England.

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Lavery – Prisons (Fires)

Mon, 19 March 2012 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many cell fires have been reported since 2010; and if he will list the prisons where the incidents took place.[100995]

Mr Blunt: From 1 January 2010 to the 29 February 2012 there have been 1,445 fires in prisons in England and Wales.(1) The following lists the prisons where the incidents took place.(1) These figures have been drawn from live administrative data systems which may be amended at any time.
Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.EstablishmentAcklingtonAlbanyAltcourseAshfieldAylesburyBedfordBelmarshBirminghamBlundestonBrinsfordBristolBrixtonBronzefieldBuckley HallBullingdonBull wood HallBureCamp HillCanterburyCardiffCastingtonChannings WoodColdingleyCookham WoodDeerboltDoncasterDorchesterDover ImmigrationDovegateDownviewDurhamEastwood ParkEdmunds HillElmleyErlestokeEverthorpeExeterFeatherstoneFelthamForest BankFoston HallFranklandFull SuttonGarthGartreeGlen ParvaGloucesterGrendonGuys MarshHaveriggHewellHighdownHighpointHindleyHollowayHolme HouseHullIsisKingstonLancaster FarmsLatchmere HouseLeedsLeicesterLewesLeyhillLincolnLindholmeLittleheyLiverpoolLong LartinLow NewtonLowdham GrangeMaidstoneManchesterMoorland (Closed)Morton HallNew HallNorthallertonNorwichNottinghamOnleyParcParkhurstPentonvillePeterboroughPeterborough (Female)PortlandPrestonRanbyReadingRisleyRochesterRye HillShrewsburyStaffordStandford HillStockenStoke HeathStyalSwalesideSwanseaSwinfen HallThe MountThe VerneWakefieldWandsworthWarren HillWaylandWealstunWellingboroughWellingtonWetherbyWhartonWhitemoorWinchesterWoodhillWormwood ScrubsWymottWolds

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Flint – Fire Services (flood control duty)

Mon, 19 March 2012 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will make it his policy to impose on the fire and rescue services a statutory duty to assist with flooding.[100265]

Robert Neill: The Government expect shortly to reach a conclusion as to whether flood rescue needs to be explicitly a statutory duty of fire and rescue authorities.
We have recently discussed with partners our view that there needs to be flexibility to agree locally the most suitable approach to dealing with flooding, normally through the local resilience forum, rather than impose a statutory duty on only one of the many organisations that would respond to a flooding emergency.
This would reflect the principles that underpin the draft Fire and Rescue National Framework for England, consultation on which concludes today.

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Ellman – Fire Service (impact of reduction in finance)

Mon, 19 March 2012 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Mrs Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what impact assessment his Department carried out on the potentialeffects on fire and rescue services of planned reductions in years three and four of the spending review.[100702]

Robert Neill: We expect to announce the 2013-14 settlement for fire and rescue authorities at around the same time frame as usual.
Statutory consultation on the 2013-14 settlement will start around late-November/early-December.
Ministers will then take final decisions on the allocations and these will be announced in mid- to late-January.An assessment of the distributional impact on the level of spending power for each single purpose fire and rescue authority will be made in early 2013.I also refer the hon.
Member to my letter of 6 December 2010 to the hon.
Member for Derby North (Chris Williamson), a copy of which is available in the Library of the House, which outlines how fire and rescue authorities can make sensible savings without impacting on the quality and breadth of services offered to their communities.

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Ellwood – Fire Service finance (communication interoperability)

Mon, 19 March 2012 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding he has recently provided to fire and rescue services to improve communication interoperability; what outcomes he expects as a result of such funding; and if he will make a statement.[100498]

Robert Neill: I refer my hon.
Friend to my written ministerial statement of 1 March 2012, Official Report, column 37-39WS.

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Irranca-Davies – Fire Service response times (rural areas)

Mon, 19 March 2012 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average length of time was for a fire service 999 response in rural areas in the latest period for which figures are available.[100450]

Robert Neill: Response times are available for fire and rescue authority areas.
The latest period for which data are available is 2010-11.
These are shown in the following table for the 15 fire and rescue authority areas deemed to be predominantly rural by the official urban/rural classification.

Average response times to fires incidents in predominantly rural fire and rescue authority areas, 2010-11
Minutes
	Dwellings
	With persons(1)	Without persons(1)	Other buildings	Road vehicles	Other (outdoor)
Cambridgeshire	9.6	10.3	9.7	10.7	14.5
Cornwall	11.6	9.9	10.2	12.1	12.1
Cumbria	8.2	8.4	8.8	11.4	10.2
Devon and Somerset	9.1	93	10.3	11.1	11.8
Durham	7.8	7.9	8.5	9.7	10.0
Isle of Wight	6.8	9.5	7.8	8.8	10.4
Isles of Scilly	—	7.3	—	—	10.9
Lincolnshire	9.0	8.6	9.8	11.9	11.6
Norfolk	6.8	8.7	9.0	9.9	10.7
North Yorkshire	8.7	9.5	10.0	11.6	13.4
Northumberland	9.0	9.5	9.5	10.4	10.4
Oxfordshire	8.7	9.8	9.6	11.4	10.2
Shropshire	8.6	9.8	9.2	10.5	10.6
Suffolk	8.5	10.0	10.2	10.6	12.4
Wiltshire	8.9	10.1	10.5	11.3	11.6
(1) Dwelling fires are presented ‘with and without persons’ as requested. ‘With persons’ is where there were one or more casualties or rescues. ‘Without persons’ is where there was neither any casualty nor any person rescued. Notes: 1 Response times are from time of emergency call to the time of arrival of the first pumping appliance. 2. As per the established methodology, excludes fires where (i) there was heat and smoke damage only, (ii) the call was made after the fire was known to be extinguished, and (iii) in order to avoid erroneous data or exceptional incidents from skewing the averages, excludes where the response time calculated gives an hour or more. 3. In order to be consistent with data available for periods prior to April 2009, incidents are restricted to ‘primary fires’—those involving (a) property excepting chimney fires and/or (b) casualties and/or (c) five or more pumping appliances. This means that smaller outdoor fires are not included in the category ‘Other (Outdoor)’ fires.

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Non-governmental and International Organisation Press Releases

Local Government Association (LGA) – Public support outsourcing of key fire brigade services, according to new poll

Tue, 20 March 2012 | Campaign Organisation Press Release

Contents

More than half of the public support the outsourcing of some key fire brigade services, including carrying out home safety checks and fitting smoke alarms, new research shows.

An opinion poll carried out for LGA ahead of its annual fire conference in Bournemouth today (Tuesday) found that while a majority of people thought it should always be the responsibility of firefighters to respond to emergency calls and attend incidents, they were happy to see some other fire service functions outsourced to other organisations.

According to the online survey of 1,785 people in England carried out last weekend:

79 per cent thought that other organisations and businesses could take on work done by fire authorities to work with young people to prevent anti-social behaviour and offending.

75 per cent said they would be happy to see fire service management and administration outsourced.

58 per cent said that home safety checks could be carried out by other businesses and organisations.

56 per cent said other businesses and organisations could take on the role of fitting smoke alarms in the community.

An overwhelming majority (92 per cent) thought the key role of putting out fires and responding to fires should always be carried out by firefighters.

Along with other public sector organisations, Fire and Rescue Authorities are having to make efficiencies and are looking for new ways to save money to maintain services.

Protecting the frontline by finding new approaches to fire authority functions will be on the agenda at the LGA’s two-day fire conference.

Cllr Brian Coleman, Chairman of the LGA’s Fire Services Management Committee, said:

“To keep protecting the millions of people who rely on us, while dealing with substantial cuts to our budgets, we must find new and bold ways of doing things.

“Asking for more money is not an option so we need to concentrate on getting the most out of every pound. This means everything needs to be on the table, including mergers of fire services, closer working with other emergency services and outsourcing some of the service we provide.

“These opinion poll findings prove that, as long as the support is there, the public don’t mind who it is that carries out safety checks on their home or comes round to fit a smoke alarm.

“Many fire authorities are already making huge strides at making savings while maintaining the standard of protection and level of support they provide to their local areas. Now is the time for radical change and fresh thinking to ensure that the public get the best protection and the best value for money.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

1 ComRes surveyed 1,785 adults in England online between 9 and 11 March 2012. Data were weighted to be demographically representative of all adults in England. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Data can be downloaded at: http://www.comres.co.uk

2 The Local Government Association Annual Fire Conference and Exhibition 2012 takes place on Tuesday 20 March and Wednesday 21 March at the Highcliff Marriott Hotel, St Michael’s Road, Westcliff, Bournemouth. Over two days, Fire Minister Bob Neill MP, fire authority chairmen and chief officers, top councillors and leading lights in the fire industry will come together to discuss key issues in the sector. The full agenda is available at: http://www.local.gov.uk/web/guest/events/-/journal_content/56/10161/16924/EVENT-TEMPLATE

Other

DCLG – Fire and Rescue Service Operational Guidance – Incidents in Tunnels and Underground Structures

Fri, 23 March 2012 | Report Publication

Summary

DCLG has published a report titled ‘Fire and Rescue Service Operational Guidance – Incidents in Tunnels and Underground Structures’ today.

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If you are having problems accessing this report please paste the following into your browser: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/fire/pdf/2112377.pdf

DCLG – Fire and Rescue Service Operational Guidance – Railway Incidents

Fri, 23 March 2012 | Report Publication

Summary

DCLG has published a report titled ‘Fire and Rescue Service Operational Guidance – Railway Incidents’ today.

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If you are having problems accessing this report please paste the following into your browser: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/fire/pdf/2112404.pdf

Regions

Scotland

Thompson – Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service (Best-value Audit)

Thu, 22 March 2012 | Scottish Parliament – Oral Question

Contents

Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service (Best-value Audit)

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP):

4. To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to assist Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service following the recent Audit Scotland report, “Audit of Best Value: Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue”. (S4O-00842)

The Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs (Roseanna Cunningham): I have been taking a close interest in this issue, and I welcome the work of the peer support team and other services that are being offered to Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service. I understand that the service is already addressing issues that have been raised.

Dave Thompson: The important thing here is public safety. Will the minister do all that she can to help Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service to ensure safe coverage across the area until all fire stations are brought up to standard?

Roseanna Cunningham: It is the case that safety—of the community and of the officers in the service, whether they be full time, retained or volunteer—is paramount. The chief inspector, my officials and senior officers from other fire services are all in regular contact with the service to find out how it can best be helped. I spoke to the convener of the Highlands and Islands fire board not long ago.
Of course, this is primarily a matter for the board, but I am willing to consider any requests for further help that are made.

Non-governmental and International Organisation Press Releases

Chief Fire Officers Association – CFOA applauds Notts gallantry awards

Fri, 23 March 2012 | Campaign Organisation Press Release

Contents

Press Release

President of the Chief Fire Officers’ Association, Lee Howell was delighted to congratulate four Nottinghamshire firefighters who are to be awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal following an announcement made earlier today. Hearing the news, Lee Howell said, “On behalf of the Chief Fire Officers’ Association, I am enormously proud to offer our congratulations to Andrew Alexander, Sanjeev Mohla, Daniel Wareham and Matthew Willis in recognition of their immense courage and bravery. We all applaud the incredible selflessness they have shown.”

The four firefighters from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service work out of Stockhill Fire Station. As they were on their way to another incident in June 2010, a major gas explosion occurred at a house on their route. Despite the risk of further explosion the firefighters entered the property and rescued two critically injured adults.

Lee Howell added, “The actions of these firefighters are a credit to our profession and this incredible act of bravery and quick thinking deserves to be recognised in this way. I would like to join Frank Swann, Chief Fire Officer of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service in commending this tremendous act of gallantry.”

Notes to Editor:

The Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA)

CFOA is the professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service, supporting its members to fulfil their leadership role in protecting our local communities and making life safer through improved service delivery. CFOA provides professional advice to inform government policy and is committed to developing both strategic and technical guidance and sharing notable practice within the wider FRS.

Membership of the Association comprises almost all the senior management of fire and rescue services in the United Kingdom. CFOA is the driving force in managing change and implementing reforms in the service.

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DeHavilland Report – Fire Brigades Union Monday, 26 March 2012