UNITE Scotland has slammed cuts to fire crews at two nuclear naval bases, branding the situation an accident waiting to happen.

The union blasted the removal of eight positions at the Coulport and Faslane nuclear bases on the Clyde, both run by outsourcing firm Capita.

It said that bosses had also backed out of promises to provide new fire vehicles and updated equipment.

Capita now expects support from fire stations in the area when required, but Unite warned that such crews lack specialist training.

The union said the cuts seriously impair the abilities of the bases’ fire crews to do their jobs properly and that it now plans to ballot on industrial action. 

Unite industrial officer Debbie Hutchings said: “Capita’s cuts are an accident waiting to happen … and it is not scaremongering on our part. 

“We really have to ask ourselves whether this country is content to leave the nation’s fire response capabilities to a company hell-bent on saving money through cuts which compromise safety.”

A Capita spokesman said that four on-site exercises had proved the changes “to be suitable and sufficient.”