Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, recently made a written statement confirming that responsibility for fire will move from the Home Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
It reads: “On 4 September 2024 I announced that the Government would respond in full to the Grenfell Phase 2 Inquiry report within six months. In response to one of the recommendations from the report, I am confirming today that responsibility for fire will move from the Home Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
“This change will bring responsibility for building safety and fire under a single Secretary of State, providing for a more coherent approach to keeping people safe from fire in their homes. The Home Office will retain management of the Airwave Service Contract on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and will remain responsible for the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).”
Steve Wright, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said: “The government has announced that, in line with Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations, responsibility for fire will be moving from the Home Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
“The Fire Brigades Union wholeheartedly welcomes this move as an important first step to repairing the damage done to the fire and rescue service by recent governments.
“We are also pleased that the government is acting promptly in response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Our thoughts are with the bereaved, survivors and residents of the tower, and their fight for justice.
“I look forward to working with ministers to deliver a fire and rescue service that is fit for the future, with national standards and adequate funding to tackle the growing risks we face.”
