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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what support her Department is providing to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service in tackling wildfires; what assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding for wildfire-specific equipment for fire and rescue services; and what steps her Department is taking to protect the health and safety of firefighters undertaking prolonged wildfire operations.

On 9 February, the Ministry published the 2026/27 Local Government Finance Settlement which sets out funding allocations for all local authorities including fire and rescue. This financial year, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority will have a core spending power of £105.36 million, an increase of 3.8% compared to 2025/26. Decisions on how fire and rescue authorities use their resources and equipment to meet those risks are a matter for each fire and rescue authority.

We’re investing nearly £100 million in the biggest upgrade of national resilience capabilities in nearly twenty years, part of which includes more specialist equipment and wildfire training for firefighters that can deploy nationally to support in wildfires across the country.

Fire and Rescue Authorities are responsible for assessing and planning for wildfire risk locally through their Community Risk Management Plans and work with other responders to ensure appropriate preparedness.

The health and wellbeing of firefighters is a top priority for the Government. Firefighters perform a unique and demanding role, facing a range of physical and mental health risks as part of their duties. We are committed to supporting firefighters throughout their careers and beyond, focusing on prevention, early intervention and long-term wellbeing.

Through our firefighter health and wellbeing programme, the Government is working with the sector to strengthen the evidence base, support and improve understanding of the long-term risks firefighters face. This includes considering how national activity can better support services in protecting firefighters’ health, safety and wellbeing during demanding operational activity.