Local government leaders have told fire fighters they may consider withdrawing their 16 per cent pay offer, warning they may not be able to afford the deal.

Forum Response: Fire Brigades Union

John McGhee, National officer of the FBU, told ePolitix.com: "The FBU are once again dismayed at the way in which Sir Jeremy Beecham on behalf of the LGA appears to have dismissed the proposals made by the independent chair of the National Joint Council for Local Authority Fire Brigades, professor Frank Burchill.

"The FBU's recall conference voted by two to one to take these proposals to all members to seek their views on whether these proposals could form the basis of a settlement. Sir John Beecham and the LGA should, we believe, do the same.

"It further demonstrates that the employers are the group in this dispute who appear not to want to achieve a negotiated settlement."