The Scottish Parliament has voted to approve its 2025 budget, including allocated funding for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).
The Fire Brigades Union says that although funding will see a moderate increase, this “won’t touch the sides” due to inflationary pressures.
More than 1,200 firefighter posts have been lost to cuts over the past 13 years. In 2023, 10 fire engines were axed due to budget cuts and remain unavailable.
The SFRS has identified that £80 million per year of capital investment is required to address “significant backlogs”, which has left fire stations and control rooms in poor condition.
Colin Brown, FBU executive council member for Scotland said:
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is in a state of crisis after years of underfunding. While the FBU welcomes an increase to the budget this year, much of this will be swallowed by inflation and the spiralling costs of a crumbling estate.
The fire service needs serious long-term investment to equip firefighters to protect homes and lives. Cuts to firefighters, fire engines and stations across Scotland have brought the service to its knees in recent years.
Fire stations and control rooms are in appalling condition across the country, left to decay without investment. While an increase to capital expenditure is welcome, nearly twice as much is needed to make fire service buildings functional and safe.
The budget also fails to account for the potential impact of changes to employers’ national insurance contributions outlined by Westminster. Without additional funding, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service could be left short of millions of pounds.
This budget is a step in the right direction, but won’t touch the sides. To keep communities safe, the Scottish government must commit to reverse cuts and provide the funding the fire and rescue service desperately needs.”
Steve Wright, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said:
Since 2010, 1 in 5 firefighter posts have been lost to cuts across the UK. Scotland has 1,200 fewer firefighters than in 2010, pushing the service to breaking point.
As the climate crisis intensifies, firefighters are responding to increasing extreme weather events and emerging risks. Fire and rescue services must be equipped and resilient to face the future.
Politicians at every level have a duty to give the fire service the resources it needs to keep the public safe.”
