Progress on fire funding welcomed as Fire Chiefs respond to Spring Statement

Responding to yesterday’s Spring Statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Chair, Phil Garrigan, said: 

“Fire and rescue services sit at the heart of the UK’s resilience arrangements, yet they have too often been overlooked in national funding decisions. The recent local government finance settlement begins to address that prolonged disinvestment and shows what can be achieved through constructive engagement with government. 

“Fire and rescue services were not specifically referenced in yesterday’s Spring Statement, but the pressures facing services remain clear. Crews are responding to a broader and more complex range of incidents than ever before, while continuing to manage the impact of years of underfunding and financial constraint.  

“The Government’s recent funding settlement was therefore an encouraging step forward. The strengthened funding floor and additional support for standalone fire and rescue authorities reflect sustained and constructive engagement between NFCC, government and parliamentarians. 

“That progress shows the value of government listening to the sector. Greater stability will help services plan ahead and continue protecting the public, but it cannot be the end of the conversation. Long-term investment will still be essential if services are to meet rising demand, modern risks and the expectations placed upon them.  

“As attention increasingly turns to national security and resilience, the role of fire and rescue services should be recognised as a central part of that picture. From responding to extreme weather and flooding to supporting communities through complex emergencies, firefighters are on the frontline of keeping people safe. 

“We will continue working with government to build on the progress made so far and ensure services have the resources they need for the years ahead.” 

ENDS 

Notes to editors 

• The final local government finance settlement 2026/27 to 2028/29 can be found here. This sets out (see page 6 of the Explanatory note on transition arrangements here) the provision of an additional £15 million to ensure standalone Fire and Rescue Authorities see a Core Spending Power increase. 

• The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is a charity and an independent membership association and the professional voice of the UK Fire and Rescue Service. NFCC supports fire and rescue services to help them to save lives and keep their local communities safe.