Fire and rescue service funding appeal follows surge in bonfire night emergencies

Fire Brigades Union calls for emergency funding

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has urged the UK government to fund the fire and rescue service in the upcoming Budget, saying services are overstretched during one of the busiest times of the year.

According to the FBU, Bonfire Night again exposed a lack of resources across fire and rescue services, with crews responding to a sharp rise in incidents.

The latest government figures show that fire and rescue services in England attended 165,697 fires in the year to June 2025, representing a 28% increase compared to the previous year.

Overall incident attendance reached 628,764, marking a 25% increase over the past decade.

The FBU said the rise was largely driven by a 52% increase in outdoor primary fires, which are incidents causing harm to people or damage to property.

Fire-related fatalities also rose to 279 deaths in the same period, up 21% on the previous year, with 208 of those occurring in house fires.

Steve Wright, Fire Brigades Union General Secretary, said: “The fire and rescue service is on its knees after another round of deadly funding cuts, and firefighters are working to save lives under more pressure than ever.

“It also allows us to coordinate better with neighbouring services.

“Latest figures show a dramatic increase in serious fire incidents, with outdoor fires rising by over 50%.

“We have seen fire and rescue services pushed beyond limits responding to major wildfire incidents throughout the year, which are only predicted to worsen with the climate crisis.

“The loss of 1 in 5 firefighter posts since 2010 means fire cover and resilience have been decimated across the UK.

“The outcome is that it takes longer for fire engines to arrive at incidents, when every second counts.

“Political decisions to cut funding are tragically reflected in rising fatalities.

“The FBU is calling on the government to tax the ultra rich to fund our vital public services.

“To save lives, Rachel Reeves’ upcoming Budget must include a progressive wealth tax to rebuild the fire and rescue service.”

Attacks on firefighters condemned amid bonfire night incidents

Alongside calls for funding, both the FBU and the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) condemned reports of attacks on firefighters during bonfire night incidents.

NFCC Chair Phil Garrigan said: “It is appalling to see firefighters and other emergency service colleagues come under attack while doing their duty and protecting their communities.

“Their bravery should never be met with violence or abuse.

“Attacks on firefighters, like all emergency workers, are serious criminal offences that can carry custodial sentences.

“Those responsible for these disgraceful acts must be held accountable and brought to justice.”

In Scotland, the FBU said firefighters were pushed “far beyond safe limits” as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service reported more than 700 calls on 5 November.

The London Fire Brigade recorded 821 calls on the same night, the highest since 2016.

The union said attacks included a Merseyside crew targeted with fireworks while tackling a tower block fire.

Steve Wright said: “Firefighters are humanitarian workers, dedicated to saving lives.

“The last thing they need while fighting fires on the busiest night of the year is to come under attack.

“Fire and rescue services are severely under-resourced and overstretched.

“In the last decade, we have lost 1 in 5 firefighters to cuts.

“This means that fewer firefighters are responding to more incidents, and are pushed far beyond safe limits during periods like bonfire night.

“Cuts to fire and rescue service’s community outreach, and the axing of youth centres and services, are contributing to this chaos.

“The government must reverse austerity and fund public services to keep firefighters, and the public, safe.”

Union rejects political remarks on firefighter pensions

The FBU also criticised comments from Reform UK about potential changes to public sector pensions.

Steve Wright said: “Reform UK are a party led by millionaires.

“Firefighters will be shocked that the multi-millionaire deputy leader of Reform UK wants to raid the pensions of firefighters and other public sector workers.

“Firefighters put their lives and their health on the line day-in and day-out to protect the public.

“Farage and Tice are threatening firefighters hard earned pensions.

“The FBU will fiercely resist any attempt to cut the pensions that firefighters have already paid into.

“Firefighters’ pensions have been systematically attacked by various governments over the years, and Reform UK while professing to be different are clearly demonstrating that they are no different at all from those who have previously attacked firefighters’ pensions.

“In fact they intend to go further than previous governments ever did by getting rid of defined benefit pensions for public sector workers.

“In the forthcoming Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves must urgently introduce a wealth tax to properly fund public services, pensions and increase pay for all workers.”

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The FBU’s call for increased funding highlights operational strain across UK fire and rescue services.

Rising incident numbers, particularly outdoor and residential fires, indicate heavier demand on response capacity and equipment readiness.

Fire and rescue leaders may review staffing, coverage and community engagement strategies in light of these trends.

The growing frequency of attacks on firefighters also underlines the need for stronger safety measures and coordination with law enforcement during public events.

For policymakers, the data provides evidence of service pressure and potential areas for future resource allocation in the upcoming Budget cycle.