𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

A group of MSPs including SNP backbenchers have called on John Swinney to take action to prevent cuts to fire and rescue services in a blow to the Scottish Government. It comes as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) carries out a public consultation on major changes amid funding struggles.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has raised the alarm and warns that if several of the proposals are put into effect, some fire stations will close. They also fear others would be downgraded or move from a 24/7 service to weekdays only, The Daily Record reports.

The union, which represents employees within fire and rescue services across the UK, has voiced concern over the risks posed by potential cuts, and have received the backing of various MSPs across the political spectrum.

Bill Kidd, the SNP MSP for Glasgow Anniesland has signed the letter, as has Ben MacPherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith).

Other politicians including Labour MSPs Alex Rowley and Jackie Baillie, as well as Rachel Hamilton and Pam Gosal for the Conservatives have also lent their signatures to the push.

The union’s letter reads: “While we recognise there are areas that a reconfiguration of resources, or a removal of obsolete buildings, may be required, it is our view that proposals to further cut firefighter numbers and increase response times to emergency incidents, either through closing operational fire stations, reducing fire cover and diminishing shift patterns, will increase the risk to the public and local communities.”

“The stations where cuts to services are proposed have served communities for decades and have the confidence of local communities,” it adds.

“We are calling on the Scottish Government to reject any proposals that will further increase response times.”

FBU Scottish Secretary John McKenzie said the SFRS “has seen over a decade of savage cuts, which are absolutely driven by sustained real terms budget cuts”.

“Since the creation of the service in 2013, £56 million of real terms funding has been stripped from the annual resource budget,” the union claims.

“This has directly led to almost 1,250 firefighter posts being lost and response times to emergency incidents spiral by an average of 90 seconds for every call, a shocking figure in a profession where a matter of seconds can literally cost lives. Firefighters have been calling for MSPs to show cross party support for increased real terms funding for the fire and rescue service in Scotland, and I am glad to see politicians from all parties back these calls.

“It is now up to the Scottish Government to provide the additional investment that is so urgently required to protect the communities of Scotland effectively.”

Victims and Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said: “Scotland’s firefighters do an amazing job, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) remains fully ready and able to respond to any emergency incidents that occur – with public safety paramount.

“Across Scotland, dwelling fires have reduced by over 20% since 2013 whilst climate related events such as flooding and wildfires have increased. I was highlighting a rise in accidental fires as concerning and reminding people how to stay safe and reduce the risk of fire .

She added: “The Scottish Government is providing £412.2m to support SFRS in 2025-26 – an increase of £18.8m. Scotland has more firefighters per capita than other parts of the UK, with funding increasing substantially year-on-year since 2017-18.”