Fire Service faces 'significant' administration cuts, warns boss

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue (SYFR) will be forced to make “significant” reductions, chief fire officer Mark Smitherman said.

Support department budgets will be reduced by an average of at least 25 per cent between 2011 and 2015 to help to minimise the effect of the cuts on frontline services.

“Every single department is being scrutinised to find whatever efficiencies are possible, with a clear expectation from me that at least 25 per cent savings are to be found on average from our non-frontline budgets,” Mr Smitherman said.

“This should reduce our backroom costs by around £1.75 million per year by 2015.

“It is regrettable that we have to make these savings at all, and I acknowledge the concern that our staff have about their jobs, but the Government cuts mean we have no choice in this matter.”

Union fears new recession.

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The Chancellor's Comprehensive Spending Review will affect everybody in Rotherham, with jobs and services all facing drastic cutbacks

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