THE SNP-GREEN budget boost to the fire service is a “sham” as the government massaged the figures, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said today. 

In its draft budget published last month, SNP finance secretary Shona Robison announced a £13.6 million increase in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) budget, after a year which had seen the service close fire stations and mothball fire engines across the country as part of a four-year, £36m cuts plan.

But the extra cash was revealed to include money allocated for a pay settlement last year when SNP community safety minister Siobhian Brown confirmed in an answer to Labour’s Katy Clark that “the £13.6m increase includes consolidating the £4.4m into the SFRS baseline budget.”

The FBU’s Colin Brown said they had always been sceptical of the budget announcement.

“We now have confirmation from the community safety minister that we were right and the £13.6 million claim was a sham,” he added.

“The reality is a budget 32 per cent lower than the Scottish government announced. 

“If this budget is passed, it could well mean yet more cuts to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.”

The Scottish government was contacted for comment.