Baroness Blake of Leeds has taken responsibility for the Government’s fire and resilience portfolio following her appointment as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Building Safety, Fire and Resilience.
Her responsibilities within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government include building safety and regulations, the Building Safety Regulator, remediation, the Grenfell Inquiry response, fire policy and operations, resilience, recovery and emergencies.
The appointment places Baroness Blake at the centre of government engagement with the fire and rescue sector at a time when fire safety, building safety and emergency resilience remain important areas of focus.
Before entering her current ministerial position, Baroness Blake served as Leader of Leeds City Council from 2015 to 2021 and was later elevated to the House of Lords.
The announcement comes as fire and rescue services continue to respond to significant operational pressures. According to figures reported by the Fire Protection Association, National Fire Chiefs Council data shows that services in England and Wales responded to 1,132 wildfires between 1 January and 16 August 2026. This had already exceeded the 1,017 wildfires recorded during the whole of 2025.
While government policy and national resilience operate at a different level from individual building fire safety, the appointment provides another reminder of the importance being placed on effective fire safety management and building safety.
For property owners and managers, passive fire protection remains an essential part of protecting buildings and their occupants. Fire doors, compartmentation, fire stopping, cavity barriers and other passive measures are designed to restrict the spread of fire and smoke, helping to protect escape routes and maintain fire resisting construction.
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