'Woefully short' budget rise risk for firefighters

THE budget increase for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is “woefully short” of what was required, MSPs have been told.

- BY RACHEL KEENAN

It was also revealed that due to financial restraints since the service was formed in 2013, more than 1,200 firefighter jobs have been lost.

The findings were disclosed in data released by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU).

It is estimated the SFRS requires at least an additional £31million of resource funding to avoid further reductions in firefighter numbers and £61m in capital funding to repair its stations. However, in the Scottish draft budget announced in January, the increase is expected to be only £23.8m to £436m.