Establish independent College of Fire and Rescue
Grenfell Tower Inquiry · Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 Report · Issued 4 September 2024 · Addressed to: UK Government
Source — verbatim from the inquiry
●Inquiry recommendation
That the government establish [an independent College of Fire and Rescue] immediately with sufficient resources to provide the following services nationally: a) practical training at all levels supplementary to that provided by individual fire and rescue services; b) education in the form of lectures and seminars on different aspects of the work of the fire and rescue services in order to share experience and promote good practice; c) research into matters that may affect the work of the fire and rescue services, including major fires; d) the development of equipment, policies and procedures suitable for ensuring the effectiveness of fire and rescue services nationally and the safety of firefighters and the public; e) setting and maintaining national standards of managerial competence for senior managers, including control room managers, and providing management training for, and regular assessment of, senior ranks by reference to such standards. (113.51)
Grenfell Tower Inquiry, Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 Report · 4 Sep 2024 Source PDF →
Published evidence summary
Publicly available evidence relating to this recommendation:
- The government's annual report stated a consultation on the College of Fire and Rescue functions and structure will occur by May 2026 (Annual Report on Progress, MHCLG, February 2026).
Response — verbatim from government
●UK Government — initial response
The government accepts this recommendation in principle. We recognise the importance of making sure that fire and rescue services are appropriately trained and that high standards are maintained. The creation of a college was also recommended in HMICFRS's 2023 spotlight report on values and culture in fire and rescue services as a means of tackling challenges in these areas. Establishing a college will require primary legislation and consultation is the necessary first step. From summer 2025, we will consult on the most appropriate functions for the college to fulfil and how it could best be structured and delivered, including consideration of all the functions recommended by the Inquiry. Engaging with and hearing from a wide range of people and organisations will strengthen our proposals. An early priority will be to agree with sector partners the real-world outcomes that a successful college would deliver, to inform all further work.
UK Government · 16 Jan 2025 Written response →
●UK Government — follow-up
The government accepts this recommendation in principle. We recognise the importance of making sure that fire and rescue services are appropriately trained and that high standards are maintained. The creation of a college was also recommended in HMICFRS's 2023 spotlight report on values and culture in fire and rescue services as a means of tackling challenges in these areas. Establishing a college will require primary legislation and consultation is the necessary first step. From summer 2025, we will consult on the most appropriate functions for the college to fulfil and how it could best be structured and delivered, including consideration of all the functions recommended by the Inquiry. Engaging with and hearing from a wide range of people and organisations will strengthen our proposals. An early priority will be to agree with sector partners the real-world outcomes that a successful college would deliver, to inform all further work.
UK Government · 26 Feb 2025 Written response →
Evidence trail — what's actually happened since
- 1 Feb 2026 The government recognises training importance and notes HMICFRS also recommended a college. Consultation on college functions and structure will occur by May 2026. A task and finish group has met 6 times discussing aims, functions, delivery and funding models. Source →
Each entry above links to a primary source — gov.uk written statement, consultation response document, or inspection report. The Index does not characterise government intent; it tracks what has been published.
How this page is built
Source and Response are verbatim from primary documents. The Evidence trail records published activity since — written statements, consultation outcomes, inspection findings, parliamentary references. The Index does not paraphrase or characterise intent; it tracks what has been published. Where the evidence is the absence of action (a missed deadline, a slipped timetable), that absence is documented from primary sources rather than inferred.
This recommendation's data is verified periodically against primary sources. The Index is monitored for staleness weekly.