Fire Station Closures

Opened the debate

Brian Mathew thanked the hon. Member and paid tribute to the bravery of firefighters. He mentioned the closure of eight fire stations across Dorset and Wiltshire, impacting 100 firefighting staff and eight engines. He highlighted the dedication of local firefighters who attend over 500 incidents per year, including wildfires, flooding, and road traffic collisions. The service has already made significant savings of over £15 million, leading to a 15% reduction in firefighter posts and the withdrawal of second engines from five stations. He criticised the Government's funding assumptions, noting the disparity between the Treasury's forecast and actual growth. He urged the Minister to study residents' responses in the consultation and to act on them. He stressed the importance of a well-funded and well-staffed fire and rescue service and called on the Minister to allow adjustments to funding to keep the stations open.

Government Response

Samantha Dixon thanked Brian Mathew for raising the issue and acknowledged the firefighters in attendance. She emphasised the Government’s commitment to public safety and the dedication of firefighters. She stated that decisions on fire and rescue resources are the responsibility of the local fire and rescue authority and its chief fire officer. She highlighted the significant funding provided to Dorset and Wiltshire fire and rescue service, amounting to £79.5 million in 2026-27, a 4.1% increase compared to 2025-26. She praised the on-call model of firefighting and acknowledged the challenges faced by services that rely on it. She encouraged all affected residents and stakeholders to participate in the consultation running until 15 May. She reiterated the Government’s commitment to supporting the sector with stable funding and a clear framework for reform.