New call for statutory duty for fire services to respond to flooding

A group of MPs is urging the government to consult on introducing a statutory duty for fire and rescue services in England to respond to flooding as part of an overall call for improved flooding resilience that puts communities, local authorities, and voluntary groups at the centre of preparedness, response, and recovery.

This comes at the start of Flood Action Week where the Floods Minister, Emma Hardy said that in 2024, rainfall was up to a third higher than usual with the Environment Agency issuing more than 3,000 flood alerts, 1,600 flood warnings, and three severe flood warnings to people at risk last winter.

The Environmental Audit Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to look at how public bodies contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development. In its latest report, the cross party group led by Labour MP Toby Perkins, took evidence from a range of of organisations interested in flooding resilience.

It concluded that the government must set up a single national flood reporting and information service. It also called on the government to increase the flood budget to at least £1.5 billion per year by 2030, as recommended by the former National Infrastructure Commission 

Part of the evidence heard by the Committee included the contribution of the fire and rescue service in England where there is no legal duty to respond to flooding despite that existing in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Fire Brigades Union and the National Fire Chiefs Council have both long called for this change to be made supported by funding for training, equipment and operational planning.

The committee recommended that the government start consulting on a potential duty by the end of 2025 to align England with the devolved administrations and “strengthen national flood resilience.”

Building on that, the Committee also said that fire and rescue services should be a statutory consultee on planning decisions relating to local flooding.

The wider report looks at what is required to achieve a “flood resilient England” and that should be set out in a “long-term vision recognising flooding’s full impacts on people, communities, and the economy.”

Recognising the fragmented nature of governance and response to flooding at all levels, the report says there must be clear leadership and ownership.

“Above all, there must be clear government ownership of flood resilience, with a single overarching body providing national leadership, accountability, and coordination across agencies. By adopting a strategic, adaptive, and joined up approach, the Government can protect lives, homes, and public investment and sustain resilience for decades to come.”

The 85-page report, Flood Resilience in England, published on 13 October, contains a full list of those who gave evidence to the Committee.

Join the next webinar from Emergency Services Times where the panel will be looking at the impact of climate change on the fire and rescue service, including how to prepare services to respond to flooding through the use of PPE. Sponsored by MSA Safety, register to watch live on 23 October at 1400.