Local government settlement reveals fire service funding increase below inflation
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has criticised the UK government’s funding allocation for fire and rescue services in England, arguing that a real-terms cut will put public safety at risk.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published its local government settlement on 3 February, outlining central funding levels for fire and rescue services from April 2025.
The budget will rise by 1.4%, while the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate is around 2.5%.
FBU general secretary Steve Wright said: “This funding settlement is a real-terms cut to fire and rescue services across England.
“Even in cash terms, it will leave central government funding lower than it was a decade ago.”
FBU warns of further strain on fire and rescue services
FBU has stated that continued budget restrictions will worsen staffing shortages and emergency response times.
The union reports that since 2010, one in five firefighter roles has been cut, with central funding declining in real terms.
The latest budget allocates £999 million for fire and rescue services in England, reflecting a £13.4 million cash increase.
In contrast, in 2013-14, central funding was £1.24 billion when costs were lower.
Wright stated: “These cuts put lives at risk. We have lost one in five firefighter jobs since 2010, and response times are the worst they’ve ever been. Labour was elected promising change.”
Concerns over reliance on local taxation
The FBU has expressed concern that local authorities may attempt to compensate for the funding shortfall by increasing council tax.
The union has warned that this approach could widen disparities in fire service provision across different regions.
Wright said: “There is already a postcode lottery on fire cover, and a lack of central government funding will make fragmentation worse.
“In some areas, local authorities will raise council tax to cover the shortfall. In others, they may choose to cut the fire service even more.”
Call for investment in fire services and firefighter pay
The FBU has urged the government to reconsider the funding settlement and increase investment in fire and rescue services.
It is also calling for a pay rise for firefighters, citing significant real-terms wage reductions over the past 15 years.
Wright said: “The Fire Brigades Union urges the government to think again and deliver the investment we need to keep people safe.
“Any further cuts to fire services are cuts to public safety, and FBU members will be making that case to fire authorities across the country.
“We are also clear that we must see substantial real-terms improvement in pay, following 15 years of falling wages.”
Fire Brigades Union challenges real-terms funding cut to fire services: Summary
The Fire Brigades Union has criticised the UK government’s local government funding settlement for 2025, stating that the 1.4% increase for fire and rescue services in England is below inflation and amounts to a real-terms cut.
Since 2010, firefighter numbers have declined by 20%, and response times have worsened.
The FBU warns that the funding shortfall could result in increased reliance on council tax to cover costs, leading to regional disparities in fire service provision.
The union is calling for a reassessment of the budget and for firefighter pay increases to offset years of declining real-terms wages.
Wright has urged the government to reconsider its position and prioritise public safety by ensuring adequate resources for fire and rescue services.
Fire Brigades Union challenges real-terms funding cut to fire service
Iain Hoey
Share this content
Local government settlement reveals fire service funding increase below inflation
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has criticised the UK government’s funding allocation for fire and rescue services in England, arguing that a real-terms cut will put public safety at risk.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published its local government settlement on 3 February, outlining central funding levels for fire and rescue services from April 2025.
The budget will rise by 1.4%, while the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate is around 2.5%.
FBU general secretary Steve Wright said: “This funding settlement is a real-terms cut to fire and rescue services across England.
“Even in cash terms, it will leave central government funding lower than it was a decade ago.”
FBU warns of further strain on fire and rescue services
FBU has stated that continued budget restrictions will worsen staffing shortages and emergency response times.
The union reports that since 2010, one in five firefighter roles has been cut, with central funding declining in real terms.
The latest budget allocates £999 million for fire and rescue services in England, reflecting a £13.4 million cash increase.
In contrast, in 2013-14, central funding was £1.24 billion when costs were lower.
Wright stated: “These cuts put lives at risk. We have lost one in five firefighter jobs since 2010, and response times are the worst they’ve ever been. Labour was elected promising change.”
Concerns over reliance on local taxation
The FBU has expressed concern that local authorities may attempt to compensate for the funding shortfall by increasing council tax.
The union has warned that this approach could widen disparities in fire service provision across different regions.
Wright said: “There is already a postcode lottery on fire cover, and a lack of central government funding will make fragmentation worse.
“In some areas, local authorities will raise council tax to cover the shortfall. In others, they may choose to cut the fire service even more.”
Call for investment in fire services and firefighter pay
The FBU has urged the government to reconsider the funding settlement and increase investment in fire and rescue services.
It is also calling for a pay rise for firefighters, citing significant real-terms wage reductions over the past 15 years.
Wright said: “The Fire Brigades Union urges the government to think again and deliver the investment we need to keep people safe.
“Any further cuts to fire services are cuts to public safety, and FBU members will be making that case to fire authorities across the country.
“We are also clear that we must see substantial real-terms improvement in pay, following 15 years of falling wages.”
Fire Brigades Union challenges real-terms funding cut to fire services: Summary
The Fire Brigades Union has criticised the UK government’s local government funding settlement for 2025, stating that the 1.4% increase for fire and rescue services in England is below inflation and amounts to a real-terms cut.
Since 2010, firefighter numbers have declined by 20%, and response times have worsened.
The FBU warns that the funding shortfall could result in increased reliance on council tax to cover costs, leading to regional disparities in fire service provision.
The union is calling for a reassessment of the budget and for firefighter pay increases to offset years of declining real-terms wages.
Wright has urged the government to reconsider its position and prioritise public safety by ensuring adequate resources for fire and rescue services.
Newsletter
Receive the latest breaking news straight to your inbox
Latest Issue