Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a new equality and diversity strategy in the Fire and Rescue Services that incorporates the standards and best practice set out in the terms of reference of the Inclusive Fire Service Group (IFSG).

The Home Office recognises the importance of improving equality, diversity and inclusion in Fire and Rescue Services. In setting the right direction, performance can be improved through unlocking talent and improving representation, as set out through Government’s actions in the Fire Reform White Paper.

The Home Office provides funding to the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFFC) People Programme to support leadership to fire and rescue services The People Programme provides national good practice guidance and tools to support improvements in local services.