Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support his Department is providing to local authorities, fire and rescue services and land managers to reduce the risk of wildfires in West Dorset.

Fire and rescue services have been responding to an exceptionally challenging period of wildfire activity, with multiple significant incidents being managed simultaneously across England and Wales. The Government has taken action to reduce the risk of wildfires igniting, such as the temporary ban on disposable BBQs.

This year, we have made available almost £1.95 billion to standalone fire and rescue authorities in England (excluding York & North Yorkshire and Greater Manchester) through the Local Government Finance Settlement. It is for each fire and rescue authority to decide how best to use that funding, based on local risk.

Defra funding schemes will continue to support land managers to adapt to increasing wildfire risk. This includes practical measures to reduce fire spread and severity, improve access and preparedness for firefighting, and strengthen resilience while also supporting nature and climate objectives. It also includes support for landscape-scale action to reduce wildfire risk and increase resilience.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has recently announced a £97 million investment to upgrade National Resilience assets and equipment. Part of this funding includes a pilot for a national wildfire response capability with specialist firefighters, equipment and training.