Strikes by fire-fighters are set to push ahead with modernisation of the fire service, Sir George Bain has told the FT.

The chairman of the Independent Review of the Fire Service told the newspaper that a "sense of crisis" would push through reforms on shift patterns and working practices.

Sir George stressed that his mind was still open on the Fire Brigade Union's 40 per cent pay claim.

Employers have linked any future fire service pay increase to reform.