VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Machinery of Government

Written ministerial statementMade by Sir Keir StarmerPrime MinisterPrime MinisterHCWS455

I am making this statement to bring to the House’s attention the following Machinery of Government change.

On 4 September 2024 I announced that the Government would respond in full to the Grenfell Phase 2 Inquiry report within six months. In response to one of the recommendations from the report, I am confirming today that responsibility for fire will move from the Home Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. This change will bring responsibility for building safety and fire under a single Secretary of State, providing for a more coherent approach to keeping people safe from fire in their homes. The Home Office will retain management of the Airwave Service Contract on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and will remain responsible for the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

This change will be effective from 1 April 2025. The Government will respond to the full report in due course.

Open this statement in Verbatim →

Every statement laid before the House

Written statements are how departments announce things without being asked a question. Verbatim carries all of them, searchable alongside the spoken record.

Browse written statements →Read on Verbatim