I find it amazing that as a former union boss John Prescott is trying to force the firefighters back to work. Talk about double standards.

Equally disgusting is the fact the firefighters who respond to house fires and road traffic accidents while on strike are not insured and their pension is invalid if they are injured.

However, the Government will insure them if there is a so-called "Gold command" incident, such as a terrorist attack.

It seems this Government wants it all ways and Mr Prescott is determined to eradicate the unions, of which he was once a militant member. Short memory.

Good luck to all firefighters. They fully deserve £8.50 an hour. I get more than their current rate of £6.50 an hour by stacking shelves at a local supermarket. What a joke.

-G Ridgeway, Tredcroft Road, Hove