HC Deb 13 November 1980 vol 992 cc356-9W
Sir David Price

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report details of any undertaking which he inherited in taking up his present office in respect of Government guarantees for the future level of firemen's pay.

Mr. Brittan

Firemen's pay is negotiated in the National Joint Council for Local Authorities' Fire Brigades, on which the Government are not represented. It is not a matter in respect of which the Government have given, have inherited or could inherit any undertaking.

Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average gross pay of firemen (a) on appointment, (b) after each year, (c) after three years, (d) after five years and (e) after 10 years; if he will give comparable figures for each of the last seven years; at what date in each year pay has been increased; and in each case if he will set out the figures as actual amounts, at constant prices and at constant average wage levels.

Mr. Brittan

Detailed information about average gross pay for different categories of firemen is not available. The following table shows basic annual rates of pay:

Basic rates of payper year)
Approximate equivalent at 1979 values
Year (November) Pay In terms of retail pricest In terms of average earnings
Fireman on appointment
1973 1,794 4,377 4,575
1974 2,189§ 4,509 4,422
1975 2,610≑ 4,307 4,359
1976 *
1977 3,015 3,829 4,131
1978 3,683 4,309 4,420
1979 4,434
Fireman after 1 year
1973 1,899 4,634 4,842
1974 2,309§ 4,757 4,664
1975 2,727≑ 4,500 4,554
1976 *
1977 3,150 4,001 4,316
1978 3,848 4,502 4,618
1979 4,635
Fireman after 3 years
1973 2,136 5,212 5,447
1974 2,579§ 5,313 5,210
1975 2,997≑ 4,945 5,005
1976 *
1977 3,462 4,397 4,743
1978 4,229 4,948 5,075
1979 5,094
Fireman after 4 years (if fully qualified)
1973 2,373 5,790 6,051
1974 2,846§ 5,863 5,749
1975 3,264≑ 5,386 5,451
1976 *
1977 3,771 4,789 5,166
1978 4,606 5,389 5,527
1979 5,550
Long serving Fireman (if fully qualified)
1973 2,499 6,098 6,372
1974 2,990§ 6,159 6,040
1975 3,411≑ 5,628 5,696
1976 *
1977 3,939 5,003 5,396
1978 4,811 5,629 5,773
1979 5,793
* With effect from 7 November 1976, pay was increased by a supplement of 5 per cent. of total earnings, subject to a weekly minimum of £2.50 and a weekly maximum of £4. The amount of the supplement payable in each case is not recorded.
† Using retail price index for the United Kingdom.
‡ Using Department of Employment figures for full-time male manual workers.
§ Includes £167.04 threshold payments.
≑ Includes £62.64 threshold payments.

Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will tabulate the weekly pay that a fireman would receive in his first, fifth, 10th and 20th year of service, detailing separately basic pay, premium pay, shift pay, overtime pay, unsocial hours payment, messing and travel allowances, and any other payments received; if he will give details of pension rights; and if he will give details of (a) free fuel and light which may be provided, (b) free uniform and personal equipment and (c) reimbursement of national health charges incurred.

Mr. Brittan

The following table shows the basic weekly rates of pay for firemen aged over 18 years, as agreed in November 1979:

£
First six month's service 85.00
After six months' service and during second year 88.85
During third year 93.05
During fourth year 97.65
During fifth year (subject to being fully qualified) 106.39
After 15 years' service—Qualified 111.05
After 15 years' service—Unqualified 102.25

It is estimated in the Department of Employment's New Earnings Survey that the average weekly earnings of "firemen (public and private)" in April 1980 amounted to £115.80.

Firemen do not receive shift pay or unsocial hours payments. Overtime is paid at 1½ times the rate for normal working hours. Duty rostered for a public holiday attracts payment at twice the normal rate, and in addition a day's leave is given.

It is estimated in the Department of Employment's New Earnings Survey that, on average, members of fire services worked 1.3 hours' overtime per week in April 1980; but overtime varies according to the demands made on the brigade concerned, and details of actual payments made are not available centrally.

London weighting is paid at the rate of £543 per annum to members of the London Fire Brigade, and some other fire authorities pay fringe area allowances at varying rates which are determined locally.

Provision is made in the scheme of conditions of service of the National Joint Council for Local Authorities' Fire Brigades for the reimbursement of travelling and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of duty. A number of brigades also make certain payments in respect of travel between home and place of duty, but this is determined on a local basis.

Regular firemen contribute 6¾ per cent. of pensionable pay towards benefits which include a maximum of two-thirds of pay on retirement after 30 years' service, a half-rate widow's pension and enhanced awards for injury or death on duty.

Like other public servants, firemen are entitled to pensions increases under the Pensions Increase Acts. Free accommodation, fuel and light are provided to residential officers working a 78-hour week and, in some cases and on a locally determined basis, to other members of brigades who make themselves available beyond the normal working week.

All members of fire brigades are supplied with the uniform and equipment necessary to enable them to carry out their duties. There is provision in the scheme of conditions of service for the reimbursement of certain medical and dental charges.