Matthew Pennycook

I have tried to convey that although we take very seriously the concerns of Samaritans—we will work with Samaritans and we are interested in its evidence—it is the Government’s assessment that we do not have the evidence base that would justify, at this moment in time, mandating national guidance in a way that would be a significant departure from the current approach. However, as I have also tried to make clear, we are not shutting down the option of mandating such guidance; we want to explore whether it is required. I will say a little on cross-Government work, because the hon. Member for Keighley and Ilkley (Robbie Moore) mentioned it; I will ensure that colleagues in the Department of Health and Social Care register his concerns. The Government are addressing the impacts of work-related trauma more widely through our broader work on firefighter health and wellbeing. My Department and the Department of Health and Social Care are working jointly with the sector on prevention, early intervention and longer-term support. This includes development of a cross-sector firefighter health and wellbeing concord, research into occupational health risks, and work to develop an enhanced health monitoring offer, building on existing arrangements and tailored to the occupational risks that firefighters face. That matters because, as I have said, the effects of traumatic incidents do not necessarily end when the incident ends; they may emerge later, or build up over a career. The Government’s approach recognises both the skills that firefighters need to help members of the public in crisis, and—as I have also said—the support that they themselves need. Finally, as the Government have already announced, we intend to launch the college of fire and rescue in 2029 to strengthen professional standards, skills and training across the sector. The Government will carefully consider what support we might provide as the college’s functions are finalised, and I will ensure that the specific point made by my hon. Friend the Member for North Durham is considered by the Fire Minister. I again thank my hon. Friend for securing this debate and I thank hon. Members for contributing. Firefighters are being called to increasing numbers of these deeply difficult incidents. They need the skills and confidence to help people experiencing suicidal crisis, and they deserve support for the effect that such work might have on them. Although I have not been able to commit to mandating a particular national training model today, I hope that in my response to the debate I have been able to reassure hon. Members that the Government are not simply assuming that current provision is good enough. As I have made clear, we want to work with the sector to understand whether there are material gaps in existing provision and to determine what further action, if any, is needed. As we do so, I know that the Fire Minister will be more than happy to keep my hon. Friend the Member for North Durham and other hon. Members updated, and I will make sure that she responds specifically to a number of the points that my hon. Friend made, not least regarding what engagement she has had as Fire Minister with the Fire Brigades Union.