The prime minister has said that the expected deep cuts to fire and rescue service budgets are unlikely to be reversed, even when the economy has improved.

Speaking at a PM Direct event at the Institution of Engineering and Technology in Birmingham yesterday, David Cameron said that cuts imposed on the public service should be “sustainable”.

A member of the audience who works in the fire and rescue service told the prime minister: “Since 2003 we’ve seen a dramatic increase in deaths of firefighters in fires and an increase in property damage. ”

She went on to ask him: “Will you give me a pledge today that when these austere times are over, and you have the money back in the bank or you're balancing your books, that you will look at anything that is cut during this period and go back and get in those fire engines back in the places they are needed to support the public?"

The prime minister replied: "We should all have the great respect for what the fire service does because those people put their lives on the line to keep the rest of us safe. But the direct answer to your question – should we cut things now and then go back later and try and restore them – I think we should be trying to avoid that approach.

“Let’s try and [make cuts] in a way that’s sustainable and let’s try and make sure the fire service we have is capable of doing the very important work we want it to, but we’ve all got to open our minds and think how we can work in a different way.”

As an example of this, Mr Cameron said that when he visited Liverpool, he saw how the fire service there was making home safety visits, engaging with young people and even considering tendering for other council contracts.

Mr Cameron’s remarks come after fire minister Bob Neill’s announcement of a strategic review of the fire and rescue service at the Fire and Rescue event in June. The government’s spending review, which is due to be completed in the autumn, has asked for ministers to plan for budget cuts of up to 40%.