Firefighters warn potential strike action in New Year
The FBU is urging the Scottish Government to provide more funding for the SFRS in the December budget
Last updated 10th Dec 2023
Firefighters in Scotland could take strike action in the New Year unless more cash for the service is found in the upcoming Scottish budget.
The warning to the Scottish Finance Secretary come as the Fire Brigade’s Union (FBU) insists the funding situation for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is now “critical” and “can’t be ignored”.
FBU Scottish Secretary, John McKenzie, is urging Shona Robison to use the budget on December 19 to take action to reverse what the union described as a “decade of cuts that have resulted in the loss of over 1,200 jobs, the withdrawal of frontline fire appliances and a huge backlog of repairs and maintenance to fire stations".
Mr McKenzie said: "The situation is critical and cannot be ignored.
“The Finance Secretary is in the last chance saloon"
“The Finance Secretary is in the last chance saloon.
"Shona Robison must provide a significant increase in the budget for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service if we are to avoid strike action in 2024.
"Our members are not prepared to sit back and watch more jobs go and the service reduced to a shell through year-on-year cuts."
SFRS chief officer Ross Haggart has also spoken out about the "ongoing financial challenges" the service faces, adding that "difficult decisions will have to be made without investment".
He previously told MSPs at Holyrood that the SFRS could have to make savings of between £14m and £26m next year, which would see the removal of 18 appliances.
"Difficult decisions will have to be made without investment"
In October, FBU members gathered outside Holyrood to urge the Government not to impose a flat cash allocation on the service in the forthcoming budget, and to make more funding available.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "Firefighters play a vital role in protecting our communities and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has continued to deliver the high standard of services required to keep Scotland safe.
"That is why, despite difficult financial circumstances due to years of UK Government austerity and high inflation caused by the mini budget, we are providing SFRS with more than £368 million this year, an increase of £14.4 million on 2022-23.
"The Deputy First Minister said previously that the UK Government's autumn statement delivered the 'worst case scenario' for Scotland's finances.
"Ministers are assessing the full implications of that statement and the budget for 2024-25, including the resource and capital allocations for SFRS which will be announced on 19 December."