In what would be the first national strike in over 20 years, members of the Fire Brigades Union have voted for strike action on pay with 88 per cent voting yes on a 73 per cent turn out. This comes after firefighters rejected a 5 per cent pay offer in November 2022. The Fire Brigades… Read more »
The Government has committed to providing more support for NHS mental health crisis response by investing in 100 new mental health ambulances is part of a wider package of crisis response infrastructure worth £150 million over two years. The package of measures is intended to reduce the pressure on the ambulance service and hospital accident… Read more »
A report from a House of Lords Committee says that emergency healthcare is in crisis and that the Government should create a new operating model which takes account of how patients move through the health system. In the short term, the report recommends that the Government set up a special (COBR) committee to address the… Read more »
From 23 January, those responsible for fire safety in high rise residential buildings in England must by law provide information to fire and rescue services. Residents will now have better access to information about the fire safety measures in place in their buildings. This comes more than five and a half years since the Grenfell… Read more »
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley revealed his mission for policing in London in a plan that aims to deliver ‘More Trust, Less Crime and High Standards.’ The Turnaround Plan identifies how the Met will improve trust and confidence and renew policing by consent. The plan acknowledges that this is a complex task ‘but with… Read more »
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has published State of Fire and Rescue 2022 along with inspection reports for 16 services. This is the first edition of State of Fire for HMI Andy Cooke who took over from Sir Tom Winsor last year. HMI Cooke expressed his disappointment that of… Read more »
Durham Police and Crime Commissioner, Joy Allen has announced joint funding with Unison and the Police Federation to allow for free sanitary products for Durham Constabulary staff, the first in the country to front this kind of initiative. The scheme involves 26 of the Constabulary’s sites being deployed with Aunt Flow vending machines and FabLittleBag… Read more »
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) will produce a spotlight report on values and culture in all 44 fire and rescue services in England based on its existing evidence. The report we will give particular focus to evidence collected from the second full round of inspections, which took place in 2021 and… Read more »
With grey skies, dark mornings and the holiday season firmly in the past, it is no surprise that today is known as Blue Monday, thought to be the most depressing day of the year. Blue Light Card, the UK’s leading specialist discount service for emergency services, NHS, social care workers and armed forces, has announced… Read more »
Catherine Roper will be the next Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police. Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Panel approved the selection after PCC Philip Wilkinson selected her as his preferred candidate last month. Catherine takes over as Chief Constable after Kier Pritchard announced in November his intention to retire after 30 years in policing later this year…. Read more »
