Fire services across England are grappling with significant funding gaps after the government failed to provide them with the same level of financial support as police forces to offset recent tax increases. While police departments received an additional £230 million to fully cover the rise in employers’ National Insurance contributions (Nics), fire services—which face similar cost hikes—are only receiving enough to cover about half of the increase on average.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) did not address the disparity but expressed gratitude for firefighters’ “dedication.” The funding shortfall comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ first Budget introduced a rise in employers’ Nics from 13.8% to 15%, sparking criticism from businesses and charities.
Although the Treasury pledged to cover additional costs for public sector employers, fire services are still expected to fall short. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) estimates that even with the £502 million allocated to fire authorities and councils, they will face a £20 million deficit half of the £40 million needed to fully offset the Nics increase.
An analysis of data from 31 fire services in England revealed an average 50% funding gap, with one service noting that the shortfall equates to the cost of a fully staffed fire engine. The Home Office’s own projections align with these findings, estimating the total Nics-related cost for fire authorities at £40 million.
NFCC Chair Phil Garrigan emphasized the need for equitable treatment, stating, “Bridging this gap in funding and ensuring sustained investment in fire and rescue services is crucial to keeping communities safe. We reasonably expected fire services to be treated the same as the police, with the full shortfall covered.”
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