Minister “dismantled the fire service” in years before Grenfell fire

The trade union representing firefighters has highlighted the role of Brandon Lewis in damaging the fire and rescue service in the years preceding Grenfell as he appears before the inquiry.

Brandon Lewis MP was minister with responsibility for fire between 2012 and 2014, and again from 2016 to 2017. Today he is the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. He is appearing to give evidence before the Grenfell Tower Inquiry today, Wednesday 30 March, and is the first politician to do so.

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said:

“I watched for years as Brandon Lewis took an axe to the fire and rescue service. Our union warned of the destruction he was risking, yet we were ignored time and time again. He purposefully and persistently dismantled the fire and rescue service, through cuts and a privatisation agenda. In just five years between 2012 and 2017, 20% of firefighting posts were cut across England – that’s one in five firefighters. In London, 10 fire stations closed in 2014.  Those cuts have had disastrous consequences across the country, and directly relate to the worst loss of life in a fire since the war.”

For interviews, further information or comment please contact Ben Duncan-Duggal on ben.duncan-duggal@fbu.org.uk or 07825635224.