Fire minister Brandon Lewis has begun a consultation on firefighters' pensions to address long-standing discrimination against retained firefighters.

The DCLG said plans to give the UK's 18,000 firefighters who provide cover from home or their workplace the same benefits as those given under the now closed Firefighter's Pension Scheme (FPS), ‘is about introducing a fair system that provides a level playing field for all firefighters.'

Historically, retained firefighters, who are employees in the same way as their full time counterparts, were not allowed to join the FPS.  Ministers hope to pass legislation, based on the consultation, to bring the new pension arrangements into force.

Retained firefighters employed between 1 July 2000 and 5 July 2006 would be able to access the pension scheme on terms comparable to those available to regular firemen employed over the same time.

‘We are absolutely committedto the retained fire service,' said fire minister Brandon Lewis.

‘They play a vital role in protecting the community across most of England, and it is only right and fair that their efforts are recognised with access to the FPS.'