DEADLY RISK: Police officers at the scene at Grassmarket in central Edinburgh, which has been closed after a fire broke out in a flat
SCOTLAND’S fire service “needs investment not further cuts” to avoid another 200 firefighting posts being lost, the FBU warned yesterday.
The union has spoken out ahead of next month’s Holyrood budget, after a year which saw them join forces with communities and MSPs of all parties opposing Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) proposals to cut firefighter posts, fire engines, fire stations and emergency cover.
Arguing that a real-terms £84 million cut in funding since SFRS was formed in 2012-13 has already led to 1,200 firefighting posts being lost and growing response times, FBU Scottish secretary John McKenzie said: “If implemented these latest proposals would leave communities feeling the impact of yet another 200 frontline firefighter posts lost.
“More cuts means fewer firefighters and with fewer fighters comes a greater risk to public safety.
“Our service needs investment, not further cuts.”
A Scottish government spokesperson said: “We are supporting the SFRS to deliver the high standard of services required to keep Scotland safe with an overall budget of £412.2m, an increase of £18.8m for 2025-26.”
