It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dr [K Murrison, particularly given your specific interest in this matter. I thank [5D [K thank the hon. Member for Stockton West (Matt Vickers) for securing this im [2D [K important debate, and for the consistent way in which he raises the issue i [1D [K in the House in his role as shadow Minister for crime, policing and fire. T [1D [K The minister highlighted the essential work of fire and rescue services in [K keeping people safe and delivering vital prevention and protection activity [8D [K activity, noting that these services face changing risks, increasing comple [6D [K complexity, and growing demands beyond traditional fire incidents. She ackn [4D [K acknowledged 14 years of Conservative austerity and cuts to local authority [9D [K authority and fire service budgets, resulting in a loss of 20% firefighter [K capacity across the country. The minister emphasised the significant change [6D [K change marked by the 2026-27 local government finance settlement, deliverin [9D [K delivering the first multi-year funding settlement for local government in [K 10 years with an additional £15 million secured for fire and rescue service [7D [K services, ensuring a minimum uplift of 3.8% in core spending power in 2026 [K for all stand-alone FRAs, some receiving more than 7%. The minister also me [2D [K mentioned the importance of stability for fire and rescue authorities to pl [2D [K plan ahead, invest in their workforce and estates, and make sound long-term [9D [K long-term decisions in the interests of public safety. She discussed the wo [2D [K work being done on reforming the funding formula and invited every fire and [3D [K and rescue service in England to participate in sector engagement workshops [9D [K workshops aimed at reforming funding for the future. The minister stressed [K the need for local fire authorities to listen to their communities and work [4D [K work with them, emphasising that after 14 years, the sector cannot continue [8D [K continue as it is.