A WIRRAL MP has renewed pleas for the government to reverse 'damaging funding cuts' to Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.

During a parliamentary debate a week after the Grenfell Tower Tragedy, Wirral West MP Margaret Greenwood asked prime minister Theresa May to take action and increase funding.

Two stations in Ms Greenwood's constituency, West Kirby and Upton, face closure and a planned merge into single site at Saughall Massie.

Amended plans for the new station will be recommended for approval by councillors when Wirral's planning committee meets at Wallasey Town Hall tonight.

Ms Greenwood said: "The reality of the situation is that both of the fire stations in Wirral West are closing as a result of government cuts.

"In the debate I secured on Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service in January 2016 I highlighted that from 2011-12 to 2015-16, the cuts resulted in Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service having to make £26 million worth of savings and this meant a loss of nearly 300 firefighters, 150 support, fire prevention and protection staff and cuts to control staff whose number had been reduced from 42 to 33.

"The number of fire engines on Merseyside dropped from 42 fire engines to just 28 and there was also a cut in the number of fire stations.

"While people are coming to terms with the horrific fire in Kensington last week, it is appropriate that the government takes stock of the impact of cuts to fire and rescue services across the country.

"In the debate in January 2016 the minister stated that he did not recognise some of the figures that were being used in relation to cuts to fire services.

"I do hope that the government recognises the figures now.

"These cuts have and will lead to longer response times to incidents and put a great strain on hard working and dedicated fire service staff.

"The Conservative government cannot go on cutting public services to the bone as they have done for the past seven years.

"It is time for the government to give Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service the funding it needs."