Fire and Rescue Services

18/11/2020 - Fire and rescue services have done a truly fantastic job during the pandemic, tackling on not only their normal duties but delivering food and PPE to those in need. All our emergency services and also our armed forces have done a huge amount to help the national effort to beat Covid-19.

I know that the Home Office has launched a £6 million Fire Coronavirus Contingency Fund. This funding will help to support fire and rescue authorities who incur significant costs as a result of taking on additional duties during the Covid-19 outbreak.

I am assured by my ministerial colleagues that Fire and Rescue Authorities have the necessary funding to respond to incidents. Overall, Fire and Rescue Authorities will receive around £2.3 billion in 2020/21. In addition, £6.4 billion in funding has been made available for councils to relieve local pressures and help vulnerable people as councils see fit. 

I know that the Chancellor and other Treasury ministers will be looking at this alongside a range of other priorities as they plan the next Budget.