Fire union accuses ministers of cuts plan

Leaders of the Fire Brigades Union accused the Government yesterday of giving the go-ahead for "secret" job cuts while details emerged of the pay offer expected to be tabled in fresh talks.

Employers are believed to have decided to stick to an offer of an 11 per cent rise over two years in return for changes in working practices recommended by the Bain review. One employers' official said: "We will make it clear that Bain is the only show in town."

That figure is likely to be a disappointment to the union, which has warned that two 48-hour strikes will be held on 28 January and 1 February if the dispute stays deadlocked.

The union said government plans to abolish Section 19 of the 1947 Fire Services Act would mean that services could be cut without consulting communities. Mike Lawson, a political officer for the union, said: "This is about giving the green light to slashing services in secret."

But a spokesman for John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, said: "There is nothing to indicate that the abolition of Section 19 will lead to the slashing of fire services."