Glasgow Fire Support Package to Be Announced Shortly, Swinney Confirms
Details of financial support for businesses affected by a devastating fire in Glasgow city centre will be announced very shortly, Scotland's First Minister has pledged. John Swinney stated that the Scottish Government is in active discussions with local council leaders about the impact of Sunday's blaze on local enterprises.
Immediate Focus on Struggling Businesses
The issue was raised during First Minister's Questions at Holyrood on Thursday by Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay, who described the inferno that ripped through a historic building on Union Street as devastating. He emphasised that the immediate focus must be on local businesses already facing severe pressure, calling on the SNP leader to specify what support will be provided and when.
Mr Swinney responded, The Government is in active discussion with Glasgow City Council, who are gathering information from the affected businesses about their circumstances. I'm not in a position to say definitely what financial support will be available, but I expect to be able to do so very shortly.
He clarified that ministers will seek to assist businesses displaced by the blaze, as well as those suffering due to ongoing access restrictions in the area. When pressed on whether support would be available within days or weeks, a spokesman for the First Minister declined to comment further.
Fire Service Capacity Questions Raised
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also questioned the First Minister on the blaze, highlighting concerns about fire service capacity. He noted that cuts have reduced the number of high-reach appliances (HRAs) in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service from 26 to 16 across Scotland, and from six to two in Glasgow.
Mr Sarwar added, It is believed that both of Glasgow's HRAs were not available on Sunday due to annual inspection. Why was that ever allowed to happen? It is believed that one had to be called from Edinburgh. He pointed out that more than 1,200 firefighter jobs have been lost since the national service was established in 2013, calling for an immediate investigation into any potential impact on the response.
Cross-Government Ministerial Board Established
The questions came as it was announced that a cross-government ministerial board has been established to coordinate the Scottish Government's immediate and longer-term response to the fire. This group, which will oversee the development of a support package to aid recovery, will be chaired by Justice Secretary Angela Constance.
Susan Aitken, the leader of Glasgow City Council, will participate in meetings alongside various Scottish Government ministers, including:
- Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes
- Finance Secretary Shona Robison
- Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop
- Housing Secretary Mairi McAllan
- Community safety minister Siobhian Brown
Ms Constance stated, The fire has left a scene of ruin in the heart of Glasgow and I am determined that the Scottish Government will stand with the city as it recovers. There are the immediate issues of making the site safe and the recovery of the transport network, with significant ongoing work to return rail and road systems back to normality as soon as possible.
She emphasised that wider impacts, particularly on affected businesses and site recovery, must be considered and managed. While acknowledging that this will take time and require significant effort across government, she added that the board will play an integral role to ensure the city can get back on its feet as quickly as possible.
The establishment of this board underscores the government's commitment to providing comprehensive support, with businesses eagerly awaiting the specific details of the financial assistance package promised by the First Minister.
