Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason the Fire and Rescue Service is not receiving the exemption from the rise in National Insurance contributions as the other Emergency Services.

To repair the public finances and help raise the revenue required to fund public services, the Government has taken the difficult decision to increase employer National Insurance.

The Government will provide support for public sector employers, including fire and rescue authorities, for the additional costs of Employer National Insurance Contributions. This is in line with the approach taken under the previous government’s Health and Social Care Levy. Further details will be set out in due course.