Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the effect of Fire and Rescue services choosing to re-engage fire service staff following their retirement on that service’s commitment to equality and diversity.

In May 2018, revisions were made to the Fire and Rescue National Frame-work for England to discourage fire and rescue services from re-engaging staff following retirement except in exceptional circumstances when such a decision is necessary in the interests of public safety. Any such appointment must be transparent, justifiable and time limited.

No specific assessment has been made of the effect of this practice on equality and diversity, however we have been clear with fire and rescue service leaders that the current lack of diversity amongst firefighters is unacceptable and must be tackled.