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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what support is available to fire and rescue authorities in responding to wildfires caused or exacerbated by excess vegetation.

We are making almost £1.95 billion available to standalone fire and rescue authorities in England through the Local Government Finance Settlement, with spending decisions based on local risk. Following the Prime Minister’s Wildfire Resilience Summit on 23 October, we also announced up to £45 million for England’s frontline wildfire capability ahead of the 2027 season, including specialist teams and lightweight, wildfire-specific protective equipment. This is on top of £97 million already announced for National Resilience assets and equipment, including a pilot national wildfire response capability.

We are also developing nationally coordinated aerial firefighting capabilities, improving forecasting and risk information with the Met Office, and supporting prevention through £25 million for peatland restoration and land management measures to reduce vegetation and fuel loads. England’s first Wildfire Action Plan will bring together prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.