Uniformed groups: Fire cadets challenge ministers over programme funding cuts

Fire cadets used a debate with government ministers at last week's Youth Summit Up event in Manchester to demand an explanation for the loss of a 54,000 grant from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), which paid for two staff to run their umbrella organisation, the Fire Services Youth Training Association.

John Cartwright, chairman of the association, said: "The young firefighters' scheme enables young people to deal with fire starters in a way adults can't."

The association's existing funding will last until the end of March.

"We'll keep the association going, because 80 per cent of the work is done by volunteers," said Cartwright. "Relying on volunteers is great, but you can't beat full-time officers and our activities are vital. Our concern is that this cut could have a knock-on effect on brigades' willingness to continue running the scheme."