SHADOW fire minister Lyn Brown met with Dudley firefighters to discuss concerns about cuts to the service.

She visited Dudley Fire Station yesterday (Thursday) and was told the full impact that Government cuts and changes to their terms and conditions have had on West Midlands Fire Service.

The area covered by West Midlands Fire Service deals with the highest levels of risk outside London, but has shouldered the largest portion of funding cuts compared to other parts of the country in the last four years.

Firefighters also told her about West Midlands Fire Service’s commitment to responding to serious incidents within five minutes and how its 1,322 firefighters undertake a wide range of prevention work in their communities.

Labour's Parliamentary candidate for Dudley South and Dudley North MP Ian Austin also accompanied her on the visit.

Mr Austin said: "I have spoken up in Parliament several times about the unfairness of the government grant system that sees that West Midlands lose out.

"Firefighters do dangerous work and take great risks to protect the rest of us, so they deserve the right support.

"Here in the West Midlands firefighters are working flat out, and I want the government to give them a fairer share of resources so they can continue to do a first class job."

Coun John Edwards, Chair of West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority, said he was "very pleased" that the shadow minister had accepted an invitation to meet firefighters and other members of staff.

He said: "Her interest in our service stands in sharp contrast to the Government Fire Minister and her predecessor, who have failed to visit the West Midland in spite of numerous invitations."