The fire dispute has divided people

After weeks of intense negotiations with the local authority employers, the FBU's decision to accept some of Sir George Bain's report will be seen as a concession.

The union has been hostile to the report throughout the dispute, describing it as "irrelevant and dangerous".

Local authorities are meeting on Wednesday to decide on a final offer to put to the union on Thursday.

The offer will be examined by union leaders before a special national conference later in the month considers whether a fresh ballot of members should be called.

Union leaders could drop their opposition to overtime within the service and agree to changes in shift patterns, two major sticking points.

The tense talks at Acas ended on Tuesday night, with reports the employers have raised the possibility of a new wage "spine" to extend the range of pay rates available to firefighters.

No threat

Also playing a major part in the discussions were plans to move the fire service more to a public education and fire prevention role.

It is even suggested union leaders would consider a reduction in firefighter numbers but only in two or three years time after the changes have been completed and only if there is no threat to safety or fire cover.

The dispute and strike action came after firefighters demanded a 40% increase, while the government only offered a 4% rise with any extra dependent on modernisation.

The union has previously rejected an offer of 11% over two years with major modernisation.

It has been widely reported that the employers and the union were close a 16% settlement over two years last November before the government scuppered the deal.