Firefighters have warned Scotland could face its first fire strike in 20 years if cuts to the service are not reversed.

Hundreds of Fire Brigades Union members and supporters gathered in George Square to send a message that planned cuts of £36 million will have devastating consequences for the service in communities.

Colin Brown, FBU Scotland executive member, told the rally the Scottish Government needs to invest in the fire service not make cuts.

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He said: “Everything that we know and love about the fire service is up for grabs in these cuts.”

Glasgow Times: FBU George Square, Glasgow

He said 1100 jobs have been lost already due to cuts and the latest round will put another 200 at risk.

He said: “If the cuts are not reversed we will have no option but to ballot for industrial action.

“That is not something we take lightly. It is over 20 years since Scotland’s firefighters last took action.

"The reality is if they don’t invest we need to take action to defend our jobs, health and safety and the communities we live and work in.”

Glasgow Times:

The cuts include removing fire engines in three Glasgow stations, Govan, Maryhill and Cowcaddens and changes involving the rescue boat at Polmadie moving from a dedicated crew to a dual crew.

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Tam Hanlon, FBU branch chair at Easterhouse, said: “We are not critical of the service, they have had to make £10m cuts this year.

"We are here to raise awareness and put pressure on the Scottish Government to increase the budget.

“The Scottish Government has been broadly supportive of the fire service but this is the worst cut anywhere in the UK since Boris Johnson was Mayor of London.”

Union officials said when the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was set up in 2013, the union was told it was the best way to avoid cuts.

Glasgow Times:

Matt Wrack, FBU General Secretary, said: “The creation of the single service was eventually endorsed by us because we were given assurances that single service was a way to avoid cuts and keep stations open.

"But the reality is different. We have our controls slashed and 1000 jobs lost.

“The promises made at that time have not been kept.”

Glasgow Times:

To the Scottish Government, he said: “Think about the promises made 10 years ago, sit down with us and withdraw these cuts.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is a vital service which is why, despite difficult financial circumstances due to UK Government austerity, we are providing it with more than £368m this year, an increase of £14.4m on 2023/23.

"We are also maintaining front-line services, with a higher number of firefighters in Scotland than in other parts of the UK and we are pleased firefighters have also recently accepted an improved pay offer.”