NFCC responds to today’s Machinery of Government change

Responding to today’s announcement from the Prime Minister that fire and rescue will be transferred from the Home Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) with effect from 1 April, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Chair, Mark Hardingham, said:

“We welcome the transfer of fire and rescue to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

“Fire and rescue services face considerable challenges – from implementing significant reforms following the Grenfell Tower fire, to ensuring resilience and sustainability, to adapting to evolving risks. We look forward to working collaboratively with MHCLG to support fire and rescue services and firefighters, to secure fire investment, and to drive improvements across the sector.

“I would like to thank those we have worked with in the Home Office, including Dame Diana Johnson who held the role of Fire Minister most recently, but also former Ministers and departmental officials for their leadership, partnership and support over the years. Their commitment to fire and rescue has been invaluable and we appreciate their contribution to strengthening the sector. We will, of course, continue to work closely with the Home Office on key issues involving the fire and rescue service, such as joint working on Counter Terrorism, tackling violence against women and girls and collaboration with policing.

“As we move forward, we remain committed to working collaboratively and constructively with government to deliver the best possible outcomes for fire and rescue services across the country and the communities they serve.”

ENDS

For further information, please contact: communications@nfcc.org.uk

Notes to Editors

• The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is an independent membership association and the professional voice of the UK Fire and Rescue Service. NFCC supports fire and rescue services to continually improve, helping them to save lives and keep their local communities safe. NFCC is a charity and a membership association supporting and representing the UK Fire and Rescue Service. Founded in 1941, NFCC was established as a company and charity in 1998 as The Chief Fire Officers’ Association, transforming into the NFCC in 2017.