Fire union warns further cuts to Scotland’s fire service could cost lives

Further cuts to Scotland’s fire and rescue service will leave communities, businesses and homes at greater risk and could result in lives being lost, a union leader has warned.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) issued the warning as Finance Secretary Shona Robison prepares to deliver the Scottish Government’s draft budget this week.

Its figures show that almost 1,250 firefighter jobs have been cut since the creation of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in 2013 – a sixth of the workforce.

Over the same period, there has been a real-terms reduction of almost £84m in the SFRS resource budget and a capital backlog of over £800m with many fire stations no longer fit for purpose.

Response times have also increased by 90 seconds form under seven minutes to almost eight and a half minutes since 2014, union leaders claim.

Proposals in the SFRS ‘Service Delivery Review’ have been met with opposition.

The plan includes options to close stations, reduce fire cover or cut fire appliances at a number of locations around the country including Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Inverclyde and the Scottish Borders.

The Fire Brigades Union, community and local councils and MSPs have called on the Finance Secretary to end the cuts and give firefighters the investment they need to ensure communities are protected and lives are valued.

John McKenzie, Scottish Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union said, “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.

“This budget has to deliver significantly increased funding for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We are investing record funding in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in 2025-26, recognising the vital role it plays in keeping communities safe.

“Our investment has helped to ensure SFRS are ready and able to respond to emergency incidents – with public safety paramount.

“Decisions on the Scottish Budget will be laid out on 13 January 2026.”