Autumn Budget: Government prioritises building and community safety with new funding

The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer’s recent autumn budget announcement has prompted responses from key figures in the fire and safety sector, addressing both building safety and resilience initiatives.

National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Chair, Mark Hardingham, welcomed the government’s outlined plans, including significant investments aimed at accelerating the social housing remediation programme.

Hardingham emphasised the importance of fire safety in these efforts: “We welcome the government’s commitment to improving building safety and accelerating the remediation programme.”

The NFCC also praised the allocation of resources for the school rebuilding programme, with Hardingham stressing that fire safety should be integral to these efforts, especially in the form of sprinkler installations in rebuilds and major refurbishments.

Such measures, he stated, would help ensure the safety of community assets and uninterrupted learning for children.

Investment in flood resilience for fire and rescue services

Addressing the budget’s focus on climate resilience, the NFCC noted the government’s commitment of £2.4 billion over the next two years to bolster flood resilience in response to extreme weather events.

Hardingham highlighted the importance of preparing fire and rescue services for the increasing frequency and intensity of flooding incidents, stating that the sector would require sustained funding for training and equipment to meet these challenges.

He added: “With the frequency and magnitude of flooding events expected to continue to increase, it is vital that fire and rescue services are fully prepared and equipped to respond.”

The NFCC is calling for this ongoing need to be addressed in the forthcoming government spending review, particularly to support comprehensive training and resource investment for fire and rescue services.

IOSH underscores need for safety in construction and regeneration plans

In response to the budget, Ruth Wilkinson, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), reflected on the government’s approach to building and regeneration, cautioning that safety standards should not be compromised.

Wilkinson stated that lessons from the Grenfell Tower inquiry underscored the need for strict safety protocols, saying: “We have to learn from Grenfell that safety is everyone’s responsibility and that culturally we must champion the safety of all.”

Wilkinson also emphasised that safety must be designed from the planning stages of a building and maintained throughout its lifecycle, from construction to occupancy.

She supported the need for a properly resourced building safety regulator to ensure compliance and prevent lapses that could endanger lives.

Addressing construction industry safety and workforce competency

Wilkinson further raised concerns about the risks facing workers in the construction sector, referencing recent statistics showing that 138 workers were killed in work-related accidents in Britain in 2023-2024, with over one-third in construction.

She stressed the necessity of ongoing investment in safety management to protect workers.

“The government’s building bonanza could lead to a construction skills shortage,” Wilkinson noted, warning that skill gaps could lead to unsafe working conditions.

To mitigate these risks, Wilkinson advocated for competency and safety training across all building sites to prevent what she described as “short-sighted corner-cutting” that could undermine the construction industry’s safety standards and the UK’s global standing.

UK fire and safety industry reacts to government autumn budget measures: Summary

The UK fire and safety industry has voiced its reaction to the government’s autumn budget for 2024, highlighting priorities in building safety and resilience measures.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) acknowledged the budget’s commitments to social housing and school safety improvements, emphasising the need for sprinklers in rebuilds and proper funding for flood resilience.

Separately, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) urged the government to uphold high safety standards in construction and regeneration projects, warning against skill shortages that could lead to unsafe practices.

Both organisations stressed that sustained investment and regulatory oversight are essential to safeguard communities and workers across the country.