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A gaggle of MSPs together with SNP backbenchers have referred to as on John Swinney to take motion to forestall cuts to fireplace and rescue providers in a blow to the Scottish Government. It comes because the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) carries out a public session on main modifications amid funding struggles.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has raised the alarm and warns that if a number of of the proposals are put in force, some fireplace stations will shut. They additionally worry others could be downgraded or transfer from a 24/7 service to weekdays solely, The Daily Record reviews.

The union, which represents staff inside fireplace and rescue providers throughout the UK, has voiced concern over the dangers posed by potential cuts, and have obtained the backing of varied MSPs throughout the political spectrum.

Bill Kidd, the SNP MSP for Glasgow Anniesland has signed the letter, as has Ben MacPherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith).

Other politicians together with Labour MSPs Alex Rowley and Jackie Baillie, in addition to Rachel Hamilton and Pam Gosal for the Conservatives have additionally lent their signatures to the push.

The union’s letter reads: “While we recognise there are areas that a reconfiguration of resources, or a removal of obsolete buildings, may be required, it is our view that proposals to further cut firefighter numbers and increase response times to emergency incidents, either through closing operational fire stations, reducing fire cover and diminishing shift patterns, will increase the risk to the public and local communities.”

“The stations where cuts to services are proposed have served communities for decades and have the confidence of local communities,” it provides.

“We are calling on the Scottish Government to reject any proposals that will further increase response times.”

FBU Scottish Secretary John McKenzie stated the SFRS “has seen over a decade of savage cuts, which are absolutely driven by sustained real terms budget cuts”.

“Since the creation of the service in 2013, £56 million of real terms funding has been stripped from the annual resource budget,” the union claims.

“This has directly led to almost 1,250 firefighter posts being lost and response times to emergency incidents spiral by an average of 90 seconds for every call, a shocking figure in a profession where a matter of seconds can literally cost lives. Firefighters have been calling for MSPs to show cross party support for increased real terms funding for the fire and rescue service in Scotland, and I am glad to see politicians from all parties back these calls.

“It is now as much as the Scottish Government to supply the extra funding that’s so urgently required to guard the communities of Scotland successfully.”

Victims and Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown stated: “Scotland’s firefighters do an amazing job, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) remains fully ready and able to respond to any emergency incidents that occur – with public safety paramount.

“Across Scotland, dwelling fires have reduced by over 20% since 2013 whilst climate related events such as flooding and wildfires have increased. I was highlighting a rise in accidental fires as concerning and reminding people how to stay safe and reduce the risk of fire .

She added: “The Scottish Government is providing £412.2m to support SFRS in 2025-26 – an increase of £18.8m. Scotland has more firefighters per capita than other parts of the UK, with funding increasing substantially year-on-year since 2017-18.”