Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Bridgen Excerpts

Monday 21st October 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Pickles]

The Department relies on the Office for Budget Responsibility for those figures.

[Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)]

Surveys show that members of our fire and rescue service are among the most highly regarded of our public servants. Does my hon. Friend agree that the best way for them to maintain that enviable public perception is to continue to take part in negotiations and to continue to reject strike action?

[Brandon Lewis]

My hon. Friend is quite right. The best thing would be to have no more strike action, and for the employers and the Fire Brigades Union to deal with the issues they are discussing so that we can reach a point at which we can deliver one of the most beneficial pension schemes in the public sector.