PRESS RELEASE : FBU slams “insulting” Tory MP comments on firefighters [January 2023]

The FBU has hit back after a Tory MP commented on reports of firefighters being forced to foodbanks by saying “£32,244 and using a food bank? Never heard such a ridiculous thing in my life… I suggest learning how to budget”.

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack has said that the comments are “a disgrace and insulting to firefighters, who were among Britain’s Covid heroes”.

Brendan Clarke-Smith MP’s full comments read “I respect the profession, but £32,244 and using a food bank? Never heard such a ridiculous thing in my life.

“I earned a lot less than that for most of my teaching career, and so do many of my constituents. If true, which is unlikely, I suggest learning how to budget and prioritise.”

The comments come in the midst of an ongoing pay dispute in the fire and rescue service. Firefighters have been forced into a strike ballot after a 5% pay offer, with inflation currently at 10.7%.

Matt Wrack said:

These remarks from an out of touch Tory MP are breath-taking and an insult to Britain’s firefighters.

In Britain, it’s routine to see people dressed in work clothes, who are waiting in food bank queues at the end of a day’s shift.

Firefighters and other key workers in our public services are often unable to afford the basics, due to real terms pay cuts imposed by the Tories.

The comments from this Tory MP are a disgrace and insulting to firefighters, who were among Britain’s Covid heroes, who kept services going during the pandemic.

It’s time the Tory government abandoned its attacks on the pay and conditions of firefighters and other Covid heroes, and instead paid them a decent wage during the cost of living crisis.