News Beat
MP seeks more support for farmers hit by Langdale Moor fires
But the government has insisted that several funding streams are available to farmers who were caught up in the wildfires this year.
Thirsk and Malton MP, Kevin Hollinrake, has written to Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds, urging Ministers to rethink their position after the government confirmed it has “made no assessment” of creating a wildfire recovery scheme similar to the Flood Recovery Framework.
The criticism follows the catastrophic fire at Fylingdales Moor, one of several blazes during what has become the most destructive wildfire season since records began.
Reports suggest the 2025 wildfires have inflicted over £460m in economic damage, destroying peatland, grazing areas and equipment used by farmers forced into frontline firefighting roles.
In responses to Mr Hollinrake’s Written Parliamentary Questions, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the Flood Recovery Framework is “unique to flooding”, while Defra pointed affected landowners to long-term schemes such as Countryside Stewardship.
Defra added that since 2024/25, the government has funded a National Resilience Wildfire Advisor to assess what additional wildfire national capabilities might be needed to increase resilience to wildfire risk, and to ensure coordination of approaches across the sector.
It said that it was also working “closely with local services to ensure they have the necessary resources to effectively manage wildfires,” and are ” offering financial assistance to landowners through our farming schemes to mitigate wildfire risks on moorland and heathland.”
However, the North Yorkshire MP believes these offer “no immediate emergency relief”, leaving many farmers without compensation for urgent losses.
Mr Hollinrake said the Government’s stance was a “slap in the face” to those who risked their livelihoods to contain the flames.
“The farmers, gamekeepers and graziers were some of the first responders during these fires.
“They used their own machinery, equipment and manpower to protect the moors, often at great personal cost and risk,” he said.
“For the Government to now turn around and say ‘there is no support available’ is a slap in the face.”
He argued that if the devastation had been caused by flooding, affected communities would already have access to grants and business rate relief.
“Because it was fire, our rural communities are being told they are on their own,” he added.
In his letter to the Secretary of State, Hollinrake highlighted disparities between the nations of the UK, noting that Scotland has offered grant support to those assisting firefighting efforts, while England has not.
He also raised concerns that recent changes to heather-burning regulations may heighten the risk of future wildfires by limiting moorland management practices.
“The level of government assistance has been woefully insufficient,” he wrote.
“Wildfires have not only caused immediate economic harm but also long-term environmental damage to peatlands and habitats that our farmers are the stewards of.”
The MP is calling for a dedicated Wildfire Recovery Fund to provide repairs for equipment damaged during firefighting, land restoration costs, and compensation for lost income.
“I urge you to take immediate action to address this shortfall by establishing a dedicated fund for wildfire-affected farmers in England,” he told the Environment Secretary in his letter.
“My constituents, and indeed farmers across the country, deserve better support.”
Mr Hollinrake has requested a meeting with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and affected farmers to discuss next steps.
