NFCC responds to local government finance settlement

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has expressed concern over the 2025/26 Local Government Finance Settlement, citing funding challenges for UK fire and rescue services.

NFCC Chair Mark Hardingham stated: “As the professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service we are compelled to express our disappointment with this year’s financial settlement and the impact that it will have on fire and rescue services.”

While acknowledging the government’s decision to increase the Council Tax Precept, Hardingham pointed to a loss of government grants and rising employer national insurance contributions, resulting in a below-inflation increase in spending power for some fire and rescue services.

He noted that these factors could lead to real-term budget reductions.

Increasing financial pressures on fire and rescue services

The NFCC highlighted growing financial pressures due to multiple demands on fire and rescue services.

Hardingham pointed to the ongoing response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 recommendations, as well as the increasing risks from climate change-related extreme weather events such as floods, storms and wildfires.

New challenges, including incidents involving emerging technologies and fire safety regulation in complex buildings, are also contributing to resource pressures.

Hardingham said: “This evolving picture of risk comes against the backdrop of operating with significantly reduced resources that impacts upon the ability of fire and rescue services to keep communities safe.”

Declining resources and rising incident numbers

The NFCC noted that fire and rescue services are operating with fewer resources while responding to a growing number of incidents.

Over the last 17 years, the number of firefighters has decreased by 25%, while the volume of incidents has increased by 18% over the past decade.

Hardingham said this situation is limiting the ability of fire and rescue services to effectively respond to emergencies and maintain public safety.

Lack of capital funding for infrastructure

The NFCC also raised concerns over the continued absence of capital funding for fire and rescue services, which it said restricts investment in infrastructure, decontamination procedures, training facilities, and recruitment efforts.

Hardingham said: “The capacity to invest in the future and upgrade what, for some, are dilapidated fire stations is also undermined by the absence of any capital funding for fire and rescue services for yet another year – something we had hoped this settlement would address.”

He added that without capital investment, fire and rescue services will struggle to modernise facilities, accommodate safety improvements, and support net-zero targets.

NFCC warns of impact on public safety

Hardingham called for increased investment in fire and rescue services, urging the government to address funding concerns in the upcoming Comprehensive Spending Review.

He said: “The upcoming Comprehensive Spending Review presents another opportunity to address these concerns.

Our message is simple – without reversing years of under-investment in the sector, public safety is at risk.”

NFCC warns of financial strain on UK fire and rescue services: Summary

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has raised concerns over the 2025/26 Local Government Finance Settlement, warning that fire and rescue services in the UK face financial strain.

NFCC Chair Mark Hardingham said that while the government has allowed an increase in the Council Tax Precept, a reduction in government grants and increased employer national insurance contributions have left some services with a below-inflation rise in spending power.

The NFCC highlighted pressures from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 recommendations, climate change-related incidents, and fire safety regulation.

It also noted that firefighter numbers have dropped by 25% over 17 years, while incident numbers have risen by 18% over the past decade.

The absence of capital funding was cited as a barrier to upgrading fire stations and training facilities.

The NFCC called on the government to address these funding concerns in the Comprehensive Spending Review, warning of potential risks to public safety.