OUTSPOKEN comedian Russell Brand will be speaking at Ring of Fire, the anti-cuts event being staged by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) on London’s South Bank today.

The rally, which starts at noon, is part of the FBU’s nationwide tour to promote its recently published report Sounding the Alarm: the Future of our Fire and Rescue Service.

Since 2010 the service has suffered 20 per cent budget cuts with 5,000 frontline firefighters cut, 39 fire stations closed and 999 emergency response times increasing, according to research.

Mr Brand said: “My mate from school Leigh grew up to be a firefighter.

“Our fire service, like all public servants, they are being treated with contempt by our government and their incredibly difficult job is being made impossible.

“It’s time for us to come together and support them before the public services our grandparents built goes up in flames.”

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: “Firefighters want to warn the public about the threat to the UK fire and rescue service from central government cutbacks.

“Firefighters want to continue doing a great job but their profession is being undermined by deep cuts to the service.

“I urge the public to come to the event in London and talk to firefighters about the threat to their profession.”

The firefighters in London will also be joined by comedians Shappi Khorsandi, Mark Thomas, Tiernan Douieb and Christian Reilly.

There will also be music from country band Red Sky July, Aberdeen-based singer Oliver Richards and folk artist Yvonne.

peterlazenby@peoples-press.com