FIREFIGHTERS will go back on strike next week after a Government minister backtracked on promises made to protect their pensions.

A pledge of full retirement packages for any staff forced to retire after failing a tougher new fitness test can be ignored by fire authorities, Penny Mordaunt admitted.

Both Cleveland and Durham and Darlington fire and rescue authorities have stated they cannot “provide the guarantee” given by the Government - because it would be “unlawful”.

The new twist triggered a furious reaction from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) which alleged Ms Mordaunt had “misled Parliament” in order to win a crucial Commons vote.

Matt Wrack, the FBU’s general secretary, said: “It is now clear beyond doubt that no fire service employer agrees that any such guarantee exists.

“The response from the fire service employers have shown very clearly that Parliament has been misled to allow the government to force through attacks on firefighter pensions.”

The FBU – which shelved industrial action, after the promise was made in December – has now announced a fresh 24-hour strike for next Wednesday. (25th).

Before Christmas, amid angry scenes, the Government was accused of planning cuts to the pensions of firefighters forced to retire early more than twice as large as in Scotland and Wales.

But Labour’s motion was defeated after ministers insisted firefighters failing new fitness tests would be found new roles, or guaranteed “full unreduced pensions”.

However – in a letter seen by The Northern Echo – Councillor Brian Briggs, chairman of Cleveland Fire and Rescue Authority, told the FBU it must also weigh up “the cost considerations of the proposed retirement”.

Cllr Briggs wrote: “For these reasons, regrettably, we are not in a position to provide the requested guarantee that you are seeking.”

Similarly, Susan Johnson, chief executive of County Durham and Darlington authority, wrote: “The service is unable to provide you with the guarantee that you seek as the fire authority can only act within the legislation.”

Quizzed again in the Commons earlier this month, Ms Mordaunt first insisted: “Fire and rescue authorities have to follow the national service framework - it is not an option.”

But she then backtracked, saying: “Clearly, we can change the law. If fire and rescue authorities decide that they will not follow the law, we will spot that.”

One Coalition MP, a Liberal Democrat, protested that he had only backed the Government in December because of “the assurances from the minister”.

The FBU has condemned “an unworkable and unsustainable pension scheme that will see 60-year-olds running into burning buildings to rescue people”.

But ministers say firefighters will still enjoy among the very best pensions available and cannot be “immune from public sector reforms”.