Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of (a) ethnic, (b) gender and (c) religious diversity in the fire service.

Assessments of diversity in fire and rescue services are made through independent inspection by HMICFRS and publishing annual workforce diversity data including on new joiners for transparency and accountability.

Action is being taken through funding the National Fire Chiefs Council’s People Programme. Proposals for further work in this area are outlined within the Government’s Fire Reform White Paper, published last year, with a focus on ensuring an ethical culture that attracts and retains talented people.