Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that Fire and Rescue Services (a) nationally and (b) in West Sussex are sufficiently resourced.

The Government is committed to ensuring fire and rescue services have the resources and equipment they need to keep our communities safe. The latest Local Government Finance Settlement has made available almost £1.95 billion in core spending power for standalone fire and rescue authorities in England (excluding York & North Yorkshire and Greater Manchester), an average 4.7% increase compared to 2025/26.

In 2026/27, West Sussex County Council, the current Fire and Rescue Authority for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, will have a core spending power of £926 million, an increase of 4.4% compared to 2025/26. West Sussex County Council is responsible for managing the allocation and use of these funds locally.