Urgent Update: The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has issued a stark warning that proposed cuts to Scotland’s fire and rescue service could jeopardize lives across the nation. As Finance Secretary Shona Robison prepares to unveil the Scottish Government’s draft budget on January 13, 2026, the FBU highlights alarming statistics that demand immediate attention.
Since the establishment of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) in 2013, nearly 1,250 firefighter jobs have been slashed, representing a staggering one-sixth of the workforce. This alarming trend has coincided with a real-terms budget reduction of almost £84 million and a capital backlog exceeding £800 million, leaving many fire stations inadequate and unfit for purpose.
The implications are dire. Response times have increased significantly, from under seven minutes to almost eight and a half minutes since 2014. Union leaders stress that these delays pose a greater risk to public safety, potentially costing lives.
As part of the SFRS ‘Service Delivery Review,’ proposals to close fire stations, reduce fire cover, and cut fire appliances are being considered in key locations, including Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Inverclyde, and the Scottish Borders. The FBU, along with community leaders and local councils, is urging Finance Secretary Robison to halt these cuts and prioritize funding for the firefighters who safeguard communities.
John McKenzie, Scottish Secretary of the FBU, stated, “This week, Shona Robison has the opportunity to do what previous Finance Secretaries have failed to do and put the safety and wellbeing of communities first. This Scottish budget is critical for the future of Scotland’s firefighters. We cannot take any more cuts. It is really quite simple – budget cuts mean fewer firefighters – fewer firefighters mean increased response times and increased response times mean there is a greater risk to public safety. In short, cuts cost lives.”
Responding to these concerns, a spokesperson for the Scottish Government asserted, “We are investing record funding in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in 2025-26, recognizing the vital role it plays in keeping communities safe. Our investment has helped to ensure SFRS is ready and able to respond to emergency incidents – with public safety paramount.”
The urgency surrounding this situation cannot be overstated. With communities relying on prompt emergency responses, the proposed budget cuts threaten to undermine the SFRS’s ability to protect lives. As the budget announcement approaches, all eyes are on the Scottish Government to see if it will heed the call for essential funding and restore stability to Scotland’s fire service.
For updates on this developing story, stay tuned as we continue to follow the implications of these budget discussions and their potential impact on public safety in Scotland.
