In her first major statement since the Home Office took over responsibility for fire and rescue services this year, Theresa May said that lack of diversity and accountability and bullying make reforms necessary. She criticised the services for being 96% white and 95% male, and for condoning a ‘culture of bullying and harassment’ in some parts of England and Wales. In her speech she confirmed her intention to allow elected police and crime commissioners (PCCs) to take over fire and rescue services where a local case to do so is made, and to introduce an independent inspection regime, which she said was currently impossible. Mrs May described a toxic and corrosive culture in some parts of the services, necessitating a programme of reform that was ‘radical and ambitious’.