FRSA Condemns 3.8% Pay Offer as 'Parsimonious' — and Calls Treatment of On-Call Firefighters a 'National Disgrace'

FRSA Responds to 2026 Pay Offer

The Fire and Rescue Services Association (FRSA) has issued a strongly-worded statement in response to the national employers' pay offer of 3.8% for the Fire and Rescue Service — a figure the organisation says barely keeps pace with inflation and leaves On-Call firefighters facing yet another year of financial neglect.

UK Firefighter Hub is not affiliated with any union or political organisation. We don't take sides — we report the facts and share the voices that matter to those working in the fire and rescue service. This article reproduces the FRSA's statement accurately and in full.

The Offer Falls Short

Tristan Ashby, Chief Executive Officer of the FRSA, said firefighters across the country would be "downhearted" by the offer:

"Firefighters across the country will be downhearted with the employers' offer of an increase only 3.8%, which barely keeps face with inflation. Even this small increase is unfunded which will lead to further pressure to close stations and reduce firefighter numbers."

He added that the 28 members of the National Joint Council for Local Authority Fire and Rescue Services had "once again missed the opportunity to strengthen the fire and rescue service" — including by expanding the roles fire and rescue authorities can perform and bolstering the struggling On-Call firefighter service.

On-Call Firefighters Left Behind

The FRSA's statement reserved its strongest criticism for the treatment of On-Call firefighters, who currently receive an annual retainer of £5,832 plus variable call-out payments. Ashby said:

"On-Call firefighters will be particularly disappointed with this offer. They currently receive an annual income of £5,832 plus payments when they are called out which are naturally highly variable. There remain significant problems in retaining and recruiting on-call firefighters, but this fact seems to have eluded the National Joint Council when formulating this latest proposal."

He also highlighted the burden placed on the families of On-Call firefighters:

"The families of On-Call firefighters rightly ask why they have to put their lives on hold while their family members await an emergency call, for such a parsimonious return."

A 'National Disgrace'

On-Call firefighters protect large parts of the United Kingdom, including sites of significant economic, environmental, historic and defence value. Ashby did not hold back in his assessment of the current situation:

"The continued underfunding of this vital element of our civil defence is a national disgrace and takes advantage of our courageous and public spirited On-Call firefighters."

He drew a stark comparison with defence spending, noting that the Ministry of Defence has called for an additional £28 billion over the next four years: "An infinitesimal portion of that will create a stable, safe and modernised fire service where all employees receive a fair income and the homeland is protected."

Wholetime Firefighters Also Frustrated

The statement also addressed the frustrations of wholetime firefighters, who the FRSA says have seen little meaningful progress on the pay framework despite years of promises:

"Wholetime firefighters are also questioning why there has been such a lack of progress in the pay framework, much has been promised in recent years without any meaningful progress. Percentage pay increases on salaries which have already fallen behind other sectors mean that they fall even further behind year on year."

Time for Reform

Ashby concluded by calling for fundamental reform of the institutions directing the future of the fire and rescue service:

"Our members rightly consider the fire and rescue service is 'stuck in a rut' and the major institutions directing its future need fundamental reform, not least the National Joint Council which acts in a policy vacuum totally devoid of any acknowledgement of the national interest. All firefighters deserve better."

The full statement was issued by Tristan Ashby, Chief Executive Officer of the Fire and Rescue Services Association. More information at frsa.org.uk.

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