borisA motion agreed by the London Assembly has condemned Mayor Boris Johnson for imposing financial constraints on the London Fire Brigade which have led to prosed reductions in fire engines and stations protecting the capital.

Fiona Twycross AM, who proposed the motion, said: "These unnecessary cuts will leave thousands Londoners facing the prospect of waiting longer for a fire engine to arrive in the event of an emergency; it is arrogant to suggest that won’t increase the risk to life and property.

“It is not too late for the Mayor to listen to Londoners who overwhelmingly reject his proposed fire cuts and support the majority of the Fire Authority who have consistently opposed these damaging cuts.” 

Cuts rejected by Londoners
The motion was agreed by 13 votes for to 5 against at a meeting of the full Assembly today [24 July]. 

The full text of the motion agreed at today’s meeting reads as follows:
“This Assembly condemns the financial constraints being imposed on the London Fire Brigade by the Mayor that has led to proposals to close fire stations and cut fire engines. This Assembly therefore supports the decision by the London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority to reject the proposed cuts to London Fire Brigade. These cuts were rejected by:
• Over 1,300 Londoners who attended 24 meetings
• The 21,770 Londoners who signed 13 petitions opposing the plans
• And 94% of the online consultation responses received by the London Fire Brigade

“We call on the Mayor to provide the necessary funding to enable the London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority to maintain the front line response service that the population of this city demand.”