MINISTERS must pour cold water on plans to privatise firefighting services on military bases in the wake of the Carillion collapse, union Unite told MPs today.

The union wrote to the Commons defence committee outlining its concerns over continuing plans to sell off Defence Fire and Rescue Services, which provides cover on Ministry of Defence sites. 

Bidding has been extended until this month, but both the firms believed to still be in the running for the contract — Serco and Capita — have “chequered records” delivering public services, Unite warned.

Debt-laden Capita said last week it was raising £701 million from shareholders, following a profits warning in January. In February, Serco saw its pre-tax profits tumble.

“These facts raise serious doubt regarding capability and delivery of such vital services as this by these providers, especially after the collapse of Carillion and the business models used by private providers,” Unite said in its submission to the committee.

Unite is due to meet shadow defence secretary Nia Griffith tomorrow as part of the campaign to keep the firefighters in house.

The union pointed out that ministers had been trying to sell off MoD firefighting for at least nine years, showing the complexity of trying to outsource such an important service with its national security implications.

Unite MoD officer Jim Kennedy said: “Carillion’s business model was like Humpty Dumpty, broken into pieces, and all the efforts by right-wing ideologues to put that model together again will result in failure. 

“That’s why we are seeking support from MPs on the select committee to make strong recommendations to Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson that the MoD firefighters should not be exposed to the folly of outsourcing.”