After nine years at the Home Office, fire and rescue policy has finally been transferred back to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government; a move recommended by the Grenfell Inquiry and supported by the FBU.
Responsibility for fire and rescue was shifted to the Home Office under Theresa May in 2016, aiming to increase “joint working between the police and fire service”. This led to the creation of Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners (PFCCs), overseeing both fire services and police forces, and added fire to the role of the police inspectorate.
The notorious Northamptonshire PFCC saga made the dangers clear: the lack of democratic oversight meaning that Stephen Mold remained in post for nine months after appointing a “close friend” with no firefighting experience as fire chief, and using a misogynistic slur in front of firefighters.
In this same period, the National Fire Chiefs Council Ltd was created: an unaccountable bosses’ network whose influence has grown rapidly.
The fire minister’s remit now sits alongside relevant policy areas, including housing. Whether this is the first step in improving governance and accountability in the service will depend on who is in invited into Westminster.
