FIREFIGHTERS agreed yesterday to hold off on a four-day strike in Wales after the devolved administration indicated a break from Tory pension plans that will see them work longer, pay more and get less.

A meeting of the Fire Brigades Union executive council agreed unanimously to postpone the action but confirmed the walkout in England from Friday night.

The FBU announced the plans after months of fruitless talks that saw Tory fire minister Penny Mordaunt eventually confirm that the government will not budge an inch despite a bitter backlash.

Firefighters warn that the plan to raise their retirement age to 60 will see many officers handed massively reduced pensions as they are forced to quit on fitness grounds.

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said the Welsh plans could bring “a significant improvement” and showed that strike action is avoidable.

“But the Westminster government doesn’t seem to want that,” he said.