TWO MONTHS TO SAVE OPT OUT FOR RETAINED FIREFIGHTERS

Jim Hume, leading Liberal Democrat and MSP for the South of has backed colleagues' calls for the UK opt out of the 48 hour week, which forms part of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD), to be kept.

Discussions get under way in Brussels today to review the opt out decision before the European Parliament begins summer recess in May. Liberal Democrats in Edinburgh, London and Brussels are campaigning for retained firefighters to keep their right to opt out of the Directive. There are concerns that the plan to scrap the UK opt out would seriously affect fire and rescue services across the UK.

The MSP will be meeting fire crews in the coming weeks and recently kicked off the campaign in Haddington.

Jim Hume said:

"There are only two months to save the opt out for retained firefighters.

"Scottish Liberal Democrats are determined that sufficient flexibility is allowed in the EWTD so that retained firefighters across the South of Scotland can continue to provide lifesaving fire and rescue services. This flexibility is essential, particularly for our rural and remote areas.

"My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I will continue to campaign to ensure that this key local service is safeguarded.

"I seriously urge people to sign the Liberal Democrat petition at www.scotlibdems.org.uk or contact me at the Scottish Parliament."

Elspeth Attwooll, Scottish Liberal Democrat MEP, added:

"I have made sure that the European Parliament's negotiating team is fully aware of the situation. It is essential that we reach an outcome that allows our valuable and valued system of retained firefighters to continue to function."

ENDS

Notes to editors:-

The following fire stations in the South of Scotland have retained crews.

1. Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Annan

2. Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Dumfries

3. Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Castle Douglas

4. Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Dalbeattie

5. Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Drummore Auxiliary Unit

6. Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Gatehouse

7. Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Gretna

8. Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Kirkcudbright

9. Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Langholm

10. Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Lockerbie

11. Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Moffat

12. Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue New Galloway

13. Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Newton Stewart

14. Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Sanquhar

15. Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Stranraer

16. Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Thornhill

17. Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Whithorn

18. Lothian and Borders Fire Service Coldstream

19. Lothian and Borders Fire Service Dunbar

20. Lothian and Borders Fire Service Duns

21. Lothian and Borders Fire Service East Linton

22. Lothian and Borders Fire Service Eyemouth

23. Lothian and Borders Fire Service Galashiels

24. Lothian and Borders Fire Service Haddington

25. Lothian and Borders Fire Service Hawick

26. Lothian and Borders Fire Service Innerleithen

27. Lothian and Borders Fire Service Jedburgh

28. Lothian and Borders Fire Service Kelso

29. Lothian and Borders Fire Service Lauder

30. Lothian and Borders Fire Service North Berwick

31. Lothian and Borders Fire Service Newcastleton

32. Lothian and Borders Fire Service Peebles

33. Lothian and Borders Fire Service Selkirk

34. Lothian and Borders Fire Service Tranent

35. Lothian and Borders Fire Service West Linton

36. Strathclyde Fire Service: North & South Ayrshire Colmonell

37. Strathclyde Fire Service: North & South Ayrshire Dreghorn

38. Strathclyde Fire Service: North & South Ayrshire Girvan

39. Strathclyde Fire Service: North & South Ayrshire Kilwinning

40. Strathclyde Fire Service: North & South Ayrshire Maybole

41. Strathclyde Fire Service: North & South Ayrshire Troon

42. Strathclyde Fire Service: East Ayrshire & East Renfrewshire Cumnock

43. Strathclyde Fire Service: East Ayrshire & East Renfrewshire Dalmellington

44. Strathclyde Fire Service: East Ayrshire & East Renfrewshire Mauchline

45. Strathclyde Fire Service: East Ayrshire & East Renfrewshire Muirkirk

46. Strathclyde Fire Service: East Ayrshire & East Renfrewshire New Cumnock

47. Strathclyde Fire Service: South Lanarkshire Abington

48. Strathclyde Fire Service: South Lanarkshire Biggar

49. Strathclyde Fire Service: South Lanarkshire Carluke

50. Strathclyde Fire Service: South Lanarkshire Douglas

51. Strathclyde Fire Service: South Lanarkshire Lanark

52. Strathclyde Fire Service: South Lanarkshire Larkhall

53. Strathclyde Fire Service: South Lanarkshire Lesmahagow