Marie Tidball, Labour MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, met with the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham MP, and other Government Ministers to discuss urgent steps needed to tackle wildfires. The Prime Minister also held a Wildfire Resilience Summit in Liverpool, with fire chiefs, local leaders and experts, and has taken action to ensure the scenes of this summer’s wildfires are never repeated.
The Government have announced new plans to tackle wildfires, including using military planes and helicopters to fight wildfires where ground crew can’t reach them. They will also fund £45 million to boost firefighters on the front line with additional specialist wildfire teams and state-of-the-art wildfire-specific personal protective equipment. The Government will also fund an additional £25 million for farmers to make landscapes more resilient to fires spreading, including to restore dried-out peatlands, so they hold more water and act as natural firebreak. Ministers have also pledged to develop England's first Wildfire Action Plan.
Earlier in the week, Marie Tidball met with the Prime Minister, as well as the Fire Minister, Baroness Blake, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, and Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Angela Eagle.
During the meetings, the local MP raised the need for a National Wildfire Strategy that includes more water storage on our moorlands, increased resources and training for our fire services, clear fire plans and better working across government departments, as well as a review of the licensing system for controlled heather burning.
Marie previously visited Snailsden Moor in August 2025, alongside local Moorland Managers, Natural England and the Peak District National Park. Following the visit, she also called for a National Wildfire Strategy in the House of Commons Chamber.
Dr Marie Tidball MP, Member of Parliament for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said:
"This summer was the UK’s hottest on record, with multiple wildfires breaking out across our communities, including at Tintwistle and on the Woodhead Pass. I know what a devastating impact these fires have on families, homes and our precious countryside. I’m extremely grateful to all firefighters, gamekeepers, and farmers who fought day and night on the frontline to fight the fires, often under-resourced and unsupported.
"I’m really pleased the Government has taken immediate action, particularly to increase resources for our firefighters and farmers, and ensure our moors can be made more resilient and hold more water. This is vital to ensure we adapt to our changing climate and build a stronger, more resilient national response to wildfires for the future."
The Prime Minister said:
"I stood in Stourbridge and watched families lose everything. I will never forget it. Our firefighters were heroes that day, but heroes shouldn't have to fight with one hand tied behind their backs.
“Crews will now have the kit they need to stay safe and military aircraft will stand ready to help tackle wildfires from the sky. We cannot put people through another summer like this one."
Communities Secretary Angela Rayner said:
"The wildfires we've faced this year have been unrelenting, leaving a devastating impact on communities, homes and our precious countryside.
"We've heard loud and clear from communities, experts and emergency services that more needs to be done. That's why we're taking immediate action now, while working across government and the sector to build a stronger, more resilient national response to wildfires for the future."
__Environment Secretary, Dame Angela Eagle said: __“The wildfires that tore through our countryside this summer showed the urgent need to adapt to our changing climate.
"Nature is our greatest ally in preventing wildfires starting in the first place, with healthy landscapes keeping more moisture in the ground to stop fires spreading.
“That’s why we are stepping in and investing £25 million to restore peatlands as well as backing farmers to deliver natural fire safety measures on their land.”
News
Loading posts...