I was proud to address yesterday’s (Wednesday) FBU rally convenedby the union to enable firefighters to lobby MPs about the attack on their pensions imposed by the Government. We now know that the assurance given to Parliament that no firefighter would lose their jobas a result of increasing the pension age was a lie. Its no wonder firefighters are angry. I am calling for this legislation to be rescinded now it has been confirmed that the minister mislead Parliament before the vote.

Labour MP John McDonnell is welcomed to the rally with rapturous applause.