**Fire Services Left in the Cold: 50% Funding Shortfall Sparks Alarm**

Fire services in England are grappling with a significant funding shortfall as the government has allocated them only 50% of what is needed to offset the recent increases in National Insurance contributions (NICs). In a stark contrast, police forces have received an additional £230 million, enough to fully compensate for these rises. Research from the BBC indicates that among the 31 fire services directly funded by the government, the average shortfall amounts to 50% of their NICs increase, translating to potentially crippling budget constraints.

One fire service remarked that this 50% gap corresponds to the cost of maintaining a fully-staffed fire engine, emphasizing the operational impacts of the shortfall. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has refrained from commenting on the disparity but acknowledged firefighters’ efforts.

The funding issue arises in the wake of a controversial increase in NICs from 13.8% to 15%, announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. This hike has drawn criticism from various sectors, including businesses and charities. While the Treasury asserts that the costs will be covered for government departments, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) claims fire services will still face a £20 million deficit, with the overall cost of NICs increases being £40 million.

The Home Office estimates a 50% shortfall across many fire authorities, with the NFCC chair, Phil Garrigan, stressing the necessity of adequate funding to maintain community safety. The Fire Brigades Union has also voiced concerns, linking the funding shortage to over a decade of budget cuts. They warn that if NICs are not fully covered, the impact on fire service budgets could be detrimental.

The funding structure for fire services is complex, involving multiple authorities and funding models. In West Yorkshire, the shortfall is reported to be as high as 67%, while London and Greater Manchester have also raised alarms over their funding challenges, with the latter confirming a possible 50% cut in funding. With these alarming statistics, the call for the government to address this inequity between fire and police funding has become more urgent.