MP calls for bigger fire budget

A Dorset MP is appealing to the government to give the county's fire service more money in its 2008 budget.

Tobias Ellwood, MP for Bournemouth East, said that unless funding is increased, up to six of the 26 stations across the county face closure.

He said he will ask the minister with responsibility for fire services to reconsider the 2.5% increase proposed over the next three years.

Mr Ellwood said that the average national increase is 7.5%.

"We should be under no illusion that fire stations in Dorset are under threat and may have to be closed in order to meet the cuts imposed by government," he said.

More responsibility

"Poor funding settlements in the past have now forced Dorset to become predominantly a part-time service.

"This cannot continue without impacting on performance," he added.

The MP said that following the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and 7/7 and the recent flooding in parts of the UK, the government requires fire authorities to operate additional equipment but without additional funding.

Dorset Fire Authority's chairman, David Fox, previously said that the budget settlement was provisional and subject to consultation until 8 January.