A new 48-hour strike by the Fire Brigades Union began at 9.00am today.

With another two-day strike scheduled to begin on Saturday, it has been revealed that the dispute has already cost John Prescott's department £70 million.

Forum Response: Local Government Association

Sir Jeremy Beecham, chair of the LGA, said "This demonstrates that the union executive is not, and perhaps has never been, serious about seeking a negotiated settlement of the dispute or willing to engage with the reform agenda.

"Three weeks ago Andy Gilchrist told the employers' negotiator that the Bain recommendations 'changed the balance of power in fire stations'. That is what now appears to be at the heart of the dispute. The Union cannot have a veto on how a publicly funded and democratically accountable service is to be managed.

"We need a service tailored to the requirements of public safety based on a proper evaluation of risk and with the flexibility to allow resources to be directed where they are needed. We regret that the Union seems bent on writing itself out of the script"

Forum Response: Fire Brigades Union

Andy Gilchrist, general secretary of the FBU said: "The reason we have no alternative to our decision is that the government and our employers' are continuing to implement their agenda on the Fire Service unabated, which will lead to thousands fewer fire fighters and a worse service.

"Last Wednesday, January 22, chief fire officers' were briefed by the government on how to reduce fire cover by removing all national standards of fire cover.

"The government has scrapped its own review of fire cover and shredded its report which recommended a considerable investment in the service.

"We said we would enter negotiations free of preconditions; it is now clear our employers' are not prepared to negotiate. They are still offering us four per cent with complete decimation of the UK fire service with any increase above four per cent being paid for with the loss of jobs."