Central Government cuts are putting vital local services under pressure and locally we face the prospect of losing a 24-hour emergency response fire engine, the loss of four emergency response Watch Managers and the replacement of a high-reach vehicle with a hybrid vehicle.

I have written to the Minister, Brandon Lewis, and told him that it is irresponsible to force fire authorities into cutbacks that jeopardise public safety.

I am also worried that there is a further and ulterior agenda.

The flood response in Surrey was recently handed over to a private company, with provisions for this to be extended to fire services as well.

So I am worried that privatisation of fire and rescue services may be on its way to Brighton and Hove too, and I will not stand by and let this happen.

Our fire services are too important to be run for profit.

They are a core public service and must be kept as such.

Here in Brighton and Hove we have a proud tradition of standing up for what’s right and I am working alongside the Fire Brigades Union to do just that.