CHANGES to firefighters' pensions have been described as "morally flawed".

Essex's chief fire officer David Johnson has vowed to fight the Government over proposed alterations to the Firefighters' Pension Scheme.

Under the current pension arrangements, firefighters who are injured in the line of duty and cannot carry out all the aspects of their job are allowed to retire early with an ill-health pension.

The proposed new rules will mean any firefighter who is injured, no matter how seriously, and can fulfil any one part of the role of a firefighter, may be offered alternative work within the service.

If an alternative job does not exist, the firefighter could be asked to leave, but would be unable to take his pension until retirement age.

Mr Johnson said: "I am disappointed no one seems to be prepared to move on this issue and Essex firefighters have my full backing in their attempts to lobby for change. I remain convinced the proposed new guidance is morally flawed."

Mr Johnson said he would do everything he could to protect the pension arrangements.