ANOTHER round of cuts to Scotland’s fire and rescue service could put communities, homes and businesses at greater risk, a union leader has warned. 

The caution comes as Finance Secretary Shona Robison prepares to deliver this week’s Budget in the Scottish Parliament.

Since the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was created in 2013, almost 1,250 firefighter jobs — a sixth of the workforce— have been cut, alongside a real-terms reduction of nearly £84 million in its resource budget. 

A capital backlog of more than £800m has left many stations unfit for purpose, and average emergency response times have increased by over 90 seconds, from under seven minutes to almost eight and a half.

Proposals in the service’s Delivery Review, including station closures and cuts to fire cover or appliances, have drawn widespread opposition from communities, councils and MSPs.

FBU Scottish Secretary John McKenzie said: “Budget cuts mean fewer firefighters, fewer firefighters mean increased response times, and increased response times mean a greater risk to public safety. In short, cuts cost lives. 

“This Budget has to deliver significantly increased funding for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.”