Police and fire services ‘not delivering savings’

MSP says centralisation has failed to bring the promised changes

Centralisation of Scotland’s police and fire services has failed to deliver the savings and improved services it promised, according to one MSP.

Following publication of a report evaluating reform of the services, Lib Dem Liam McArthur raised concerns that the move has not realised its aims.

Scotland’s 16 policing and fire and rescue services became two national bodies, Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) in 2013.

Mr McArthur claimed: “The SNP’s centralisation has failed to significantly improve services or deliver the savings that were promised. When the sums didn’t add up, the Scottish Government took an axe to civilian staff positions, forcing more and more officers off the beat to fill the gaps.

“The Scottish Government need to ensure that a long overdue staff survey takes place as soon as possible.

“This will give us a more accurate picture of the challenges facing hardworking police and fire service workers.”

In 2014, the Scottish Government commissioned an independent fouryear evaluation of police and fire reform, with a report published yesterday.

Its findings stated the changes were “some of the most ambitious public-sector reforms in Scotland for a generation” and said the government had clearly articulated the strategic aims of the programme from the outset.

But it said implementation “has been more challenging and complex than anticipated by those in both policy and practitioner communities”.

It noted “significant progress has been made towards achieving the intended outcomes of reform” but concerns were raised over staffing and resources available for the services.

One section highlighted unintended consequences of policing reform at local level. It read: “The redeployment of officers to specialist teams, reductions in civilian staff and restructuring of resource provision and geographical responsibilities have resulted in concerns among local officers, shared by the public and local councillors, that resources are increasingly stretched relative to demand.”

A section covering the fire and rescue service read: “Local firefighters have reported feeling stretched as a result of declining numbers of administrative staff, which was viewed as resulting in increasing workloads.”

SFRS chief officer Martin Blunden said: “It is vital that we listen to our people, the public we serve and our partners to ensure they have a voice in shaping future service delivery as we work to navigate a challenging financial environment, and ensure our ongoing efforts enhance both public and firefighter safety.”

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The people of Scotland are well-served by the officers and staff of their police and fire services, who work alongside communities and other partners to make our streets and homes safer.”