Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what his policy is on the granting of full pensions to firefighters over 55 years old who are forced to retire due to naturally declining fitness levels.

If a firefighter is permanently incapacitated so as to be unable to undertake their role they will be eligible for an ill-health pension. Where a firefighter is not permanently incapacitated, fire and rescue authorities will support a firefighter in regaining their fitness. An independent report found that the vast majority of firefighters who lose their fitness will regain it following remedial training.

The New Firefighters' Pension Scheme 2006 provides fire and rescue authorities with the discretion to pay an unreduced pension to a firefighter having regard to the costs of the case and the economical, efficient and effective management of their functions; the draft Firefighters' Pension Scheme 2015 regulations contain a similar provision. In early June we made an offer to the Fire Brigades Union to work with the employers to develop a common approach to the use of this discretion. The Union rejected that offer and announced further strike action. Further details can be found in my letter of 5 June to the Chairmen of Fire and Rescue Authorities at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/318086/Letter_from_Brandon_Lewis_on_strike_action_5_June_2014_2.pdf

I have placed a copy in the Library of the House.