FIREFIGHTERS have urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to tax the rich to boost fire and rescue funding in the forthcoming Budget, warning that crews are heading into Bonfire Night this evening without adequate resources. 

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) highlighted the latest government data showing that fire services are working harder than ever, with a significant rise in the number of blazes tackled by crews over the last year.

Fire and rescue services in England attended 165,697 fires in the year to June 2025, a 28 per cent increase on the previous year’s figure.

The services attended 628,764 incidents in total, which was 25 per cent more than a decade ago.

The rise has been largely driven by a 52 per cent increase in outdoor primary fires — incidents that cause harm to people or damage to property.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has estimated that funding for fire services has plummeted by an estimated £1 billion in the last decade.

FBU general secretary Steve Wright said: “We have seen fire and rescue services pushed beyond limits responding to major wildfire incidents throughout the year, which are only predicted to worsen with the climate crisis.

“The loss of one in five firefighter posts since 2010 means fire cover and resilience have been decimated across the UK.

“The outcome is that it takes longer for fire engines to arrive at incidents, when every second counts. Political decisions to cut funding are tragically reflected in rising fatalities.

“The FBU is calling on the government to tax the ultra rich to fund our vital public services.”