SCOTTISH FIRE SERVICE leaders have expressed ‘grave concerns’ over budget cuts that they say are having a detrimental effect on emergency response times.
Now the issue is being taken up at the Scottish Parliament by Highlands MSP David Stewart, who tabled a motion on Wednesday that seeks a full debate on the issue.
Mr Stewart tabled a motion that will require cross-party support after the Fire Brigade Union spoke out over the “unrelenting pressure” the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was under to save money, claiming that it was “impacting on the delivery of frontline services”.
The MSP said: “I am deeply concerned, although not entirely surprised, to hear of the concerns that the FBU is raising.
“When budgets are slashed beyond belief it is going to impact on services. Our emergency services are second to none and need to be properly financed to allow them to do the job they do, which is saving lives.
“The SNP Government cannot shy away from this any longer. It is their responsibility to ensure our fire and rescue service is adequately funded and they must do this before these concerns deepen further.”