FOR much of last year the fire service was dogged by the controversy over pay.

Such was the level of acrimony in the dispute that a great deal of suspicion and uncertainty persisted within firefighters. It was inevitable that wounds would take some time to heal.

When the dispute was finally settled there appeared to be an understanding among the Fire Brigades Union, local authorities and the Government that any changes in working practices would not compromise the level of safety cover for the public.

What we expected was a period of gradual reform which gave an opportunity to both repair industrial relations and ensure standards were maintained.

However, the budget proposals for fire brigades in the next financial year suggest the Government has reneged on its part of the bargain.

To expect the fire service to maintain levels of cover while undergoing wholesale changes is daunting but achievable.

To retain levels of cover with a massive cut in spending is impossible.

Government ministers must not assume that, after last year's industrial action, there is no stomach for a fight within FBU members. Bitterness and suspicion persist.

The British public may not have been swayed by the FBU's case last year. But they will not be silent while the Government imposes cuts which will entail job losses, station closures and an inevitable increase in the risk to lives.

Like the rest of the public sector, it is only right that the fire service is run as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.

But surely, that is the justification for the changes in working practices.

Ministers have a duty to ensure that reforms are given every chance to succeed before resorting to ill-considered and ill-judged cuts in a service which still enjoys a great deal of affection and respect among the general public.