The Fire Brigades Union has said it will hold a national demonstration and rally in Westminster on 16 October 2013.

As well as the ongoing campaign against attacks on pensions – and the prospect of mass sackings as firefighters expected to work until 60 fail fitness tests as they age – firefighters are currently engaged in campaigns against cuts to the fire and rescue service across the UK.

A recent government review found that over half of current firefighters between the ages of 50 and 54 are no longer able to meet fire and rescue service fitness standards for fighting fires. Beyond the age of 55, two thirds fail to meet the standards.

Cuts have already led to 3,600 firefighter jobs being lost since 2010, which amounts to nearly 7% of firefighters across the UK. Central funding cuts will total more than 7% over the next two years, and between 2011 and 2015, job losses could total at least 6,000 – or one in five firefighters – overall.