Most fire authorities have met the government’s demands to modernise, according to a leaked report.

The next stage in the controversial pay deal for fire fighters can now go forward following a review by the Audit Commission, revealed on Monday.

Its investigation into reforms to duty rotas, part-time working and pay structure found almost every of the 50 brigades in England and Wales had met key demands.

Just a handful of brigades, including the Isle of Wight, had failed to make progress according to the report which is currently with fire chiefs and union leaders.

Despite overall progress, there are still issues to be addressed with changing overtime arrangements and duty systems.

"While these are the most technical and complex aspects of the change agenda, it is of concern that so many authorities have not been able to demonstrate progress in these areas, given the short timescales within which they will need to demonstrate real achievement by the summer,'' the report says.

The pay rises, which followed a bitter dispute between the FBU and the government, had been delayed since November while the report was compiled.

A spokesman for the Fire Brigades Union urged the government to pay the 3.5 per cent increase which is owed to employees.

"The Audit Commission has carried out its work as fast as it could and this is good news because nearly every fire authority is on course and some are ahead of schedule," said the FBU.

"No other pubic service has had to do so much in so little time. As long as the government does not start messing about again there won't be any more wildcat action."