Finance Secretary Shona Robison has been warned she is "in the last chance saloon" and that firefighters could take strike action in the New Year unless more cash is found for the service in the upcoming Scottish budget. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has insisted that the situation with SNP Government funding for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is now "critical" and "cannot be ignored". 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. Frankly, First Minister Humza Yousaf and his finance secretary Shona Robison would struggle to balance a chequebook never mind a £60bn system of spending and taxation. A Scottish Government spokesman 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.

Source: Express December 10, 2023 06:02 UTC