STRIKING firefighters have won part of their battle against Government reforms.

The Government wants to raise the minimum age when public sector workers can claim their pension from 55 to 57.

The emergency and armed services have now been given exemptions Matt Wrack, the Fire Brigades’ Union General Secretary, said: “ The decision to exempt firefighters from such provision is very welcome.

“It was this issue which caused considerable difficulty during our negotiations.”

Members of the FBU are still unhappy about proposed changes to retirement age, lengths of service and other pension provisions.

A spokesman for Her Majesty’s Treasury said: “The Government received strong representations against applying the change to some public service pension schemes.”

The exemption was also welcomed by the Police Federation.

Many firefighters in Essex have been taking parts in strikes including 16 strikes in eight days last week.