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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will consider introducing capital funding for fire and rescue services.

Fire and rescue authorities have very wide freedoms to borrow and invest. This allows them to set their own capital strategies on the basis they are best placed to understand local needs, without prior government approval. This also ensures they remain accountable to the local electorate.

There are few statutory constraints on borrowing. Most importantly, fire and rescue authorities must not borrow more than they can afford. It is for them to determine what is affordable. In making that decision, they are required by the statute to have regard to the Prudential Code, published by CIPFA, which provides broad guidance on the affordability assessment.