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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of fire and rescue provision in rural areas, including Stratford-on-Avon; and whether additional (a) guidance and (b) protections are being considered to prevent the (i) closure and (ii) downgrading of fire stations serving dispersed populations.

Decisions on how fire and rescue services (FRSs) are run, including the number and locations of fire stations or crewing numbers, are for the local fire and rescue authority (FRA) and its Chief Fire Officer. Warwickshire County Council is responsible for managing the allocation and use of funds for Warwickshire FRS, and in 2026/27 they will have a core spending power of £641.32 million, an increase of 6.84% compared to 2025/26.

When considering proposals for station provision, it is the responsibility of the FRA to assess the impact on response times as part of their overall assessment of community risk as part of their Community Risk Management Plan (CRMPs).

The FRA is also responsible for ensuring the public safety needs and demands of their local community are met.