Over-reliance on poorly-managed consultants and a cultural inability to share bad news contributed to the ‘comprehensive failure' of the FiReControl project, according to the National Audit Office.

In a damning report into the scheme, which aimed to replace 46 local fire and rescue control rooms with nine purpose-built regional centres connected by a new IT system, the watchdog noted the project lacked consistent leadership and was characterised by a high turnover of staff.