Fownhope’s Heart of Oak Society traces its roots to the age of friendly societies, when communities provided their own safety net. Its anniversary celebrations reveal a tradition still very much alive, says MARK SEDDON
Latest editorial
A manifesto fit for firefighters
DENISE CHRISTIE explains the FBU’s six-point plan that they are asking political parties and candidates to sign up to in Scotland ahead of the elections
ANGUS REID explains the significance of Cuba’s egalitarian in letter and spirit Family Code and the pertinent lessons it holds for democracies anywhere in the world
Special report by PEOPLE’S WORLD
NICK WRIGHT considers how the isolation of Israel and a new film on the controversial Italian communist leader are creating new reference points for Italy’s left
CARLOS MARTINEZ says Cuba’s achievements in the face of a criminal blockade are startling, but the island’s future if the United States succeeds in crushing it looks bleak
AMNON BROWNFIELD STEIN reports that far-right MPs who mobbed the event organised by Hadash may have helped raise awareness of the brutality of the Israeli right
AS we enter into the final days of the Scottish parliament and current Scottish government, we will then be heading into purdah — where candidates from all political parties will be seeking our vote. This is a key time for trade unions and the FBU are preparing our manifesto that demands investing in the fire and rescue service as well as valuing firefighters.
Firefighters have been and will continue to be key — along with others — in getting us through this pandemic. They deserve a fire and rescue service that is well resourced and hence values them accordingly and this will be a key part of the FBU’s campaign during these elections.
On April 1 2013, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) came into existence, replacing the eight previous fire brigades with a single service. However, overall funding in cash terms fell steeply by 11 per cent in the first five years, before some increases in recent years.
Similar stories
Since 2010, one in five firefighter jobs has disappeared alongside 30% funding cuts — all while climate breakdown brings record blazes and flooding. It’s time to fund our fire service properly, writes FBU general secretary STEVE WRIGHT
