A brake shoe assembly (1) for a drum brake, the brake shoe assembly being a single-piece construction and including a brake shoe (2) of generally circular form having two separate and opposed ends (17, 18), and defining a pair of friction lining mounting sections (11, 12) disposed on opposite sides of the brake shoe (2). The friction lining mounting sections (11, 12) have a T-shaped cross-sectional form defining an arcuate, radially outer platform (15) for mounting a friction lining (16) and a radially inwardly extending web (14). The brake shoe (2) including hinge means (27, 28) between the lining mounting sections (11, 12), facilitating pivoting movement of the lining mounting sections (11, 12), to alter the separation between the brake ends (17, 18) between a brake operative condition in which in use, the friction lining (16) engages a braking surface of a drum to which the brake shoe assembly (1) is fitted, and a brake inoperative condition in which there is no such engagement. The brake shoe assemblying further includes a backing plate depending from the brake shoe (2) in the region of the hinge means (27, 28) for mounting the brake shoe (2) to a brake shoe assembly support.