Chris Philp questioned on fire and rescue service culture
The Home Affairs Committee questions Home Office Minister, Chris Philp MP, and senior leaders in the fire and rescue service in an evidence session on Wednesday 20 March.
Meeting details
Purpose of the session
In 2022, the Values and Culture reports highlighted serious concerns over the workplace culture in at least 26 out 44 fire and rescue services in England, including claims of bullying, harassment and discrimination. There are concerns over reporting mechanisms for misconduct with the national staff survey revealing many incidents go unreported. Fire and rescue services still underrepresent the communities they serve, with 94.4% of staff being white compared to 80.7% of the working age population.
The National Fire Chiefs Council has launched a Culture Action Plan to address wrongdoing and provide cultural change. Its aims include developing effective leadership, improving diversity and inclusion, and supporting health and wellbeing.
The session will examine how senior leaders have responded to incidents of wrongdoing in the fire and rescue service, as well as efforts to transform the culture in the service. It will look at how the Home Office have reacted to these concerns and what measures it has in place to hold leadership to account. The session will also investigate what has been done to improve the recruitment and retention for under-represented groups.