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Firefighters and control room staff have accepted a new pay deal – ending the threat of strike action.

The settlement is for 7% backdated to July 2022, plus an additional 5% from July 2023.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) voted 96% to accept the pay offer on an 84% turnout.

Some 96% of Fire Brigades Union (FBU) members voted to take the offer, with an 84% turnout.

Had the dispute not been resolved, FBU members were on course for the first UK-wide fire service strike over pay since 2003.

Fire Brigades Union General Secretary Matt Wrack said: “This result is testament to the power of collective action. Without the huge mandate for strike action by firefighters last month, this deal would never have been achieved.

“We moved our employers from 2% in June last year, to 5% in November, and now to 7% plus 5% with an agreement to immediate talks on other areas where have concerns over pay.”

Mr Wrack added: “The FBU leadership has been determined not to sugar-coat the offer. For the current year, 7% is still another real terms pay cut. For the following year (July 2023 to July 2024), when inflation is forecast to be lower, 5% may amount to a slight increase in real terms pay.”

In December more than 80% of FBU members had backed strike action.

Before the agreement was made, trainee firefighters in Wales could earn £24,191 rising to £32,244 when qualified.