Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) has become the first fire authority in the UK to embrace a salary sacrifice car scheme as part of its flexible staff benefits offering. The Service has appointed Automotive Leasing, the Public Sector division of leading fleet management and leasing provider LeasePlan, to deliver the scheme.

Under the scheme, eligible staff can opt to exchange a proportion of their salary in return for a new car package at a preferential rate. As part of the Service’s commitment to reduce the environmental impact resulting from its activities, the scheme's thrust will be centred upon low emission and fuel efficient cars. This also helps keep costs low for SalaryPlan drivers, who benefit from tax savings associated with lower carbon vehicles.

Head of corporate risk at MAWWFRS, Mydrian Harries said, “The SalaryPlan scheme allows us to offer a valued benefit to our employees that is not only cost neutral to our organisation but also supports our environmental commitments. Many staff are already excited by the significant savings available, as well as the benefits of leasing a brand new and fully-maintained car. Already we are delighted by the response from staff regarding this new employee benefit and look forward to seeing strong participation levels once the scheme launches.”

Automotive Leasing’s business development director, Catherine Hiles commented: “We welcome Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service on board and look forward to delivering this exciting scheme to their staff. We already deliver direct driver services to 30,000 drivers across the UK and manage over 125,000 vehicles – with over 20 years' experience in the field they can be reassured that they’re in the best possible hands.”

The scheme officially launches on Monday 26th November.