Fire chiefs ‘squander’ £500,000 on ‘virtue signalling’.
Spending on diversity and inclusion staff comes despite closure threat to stations and ageing fire engines.
Sunday August 17 2025, 6.20pm BST, The Times
A fire engine at Glasgow pride in 2022. More than £450,000 was spent on diversity roles since 2023FINDLAY/ALAMY Fire chiefs have been accused of “squandering” public money on “virtue-signalling exercises” after it emerged that Scottish Fire and Rescue has spent almost £500,000 on salaries for diversity and inclusion roles in the past three years.This outlay comes despite significant operational challenges for the service, including the potential closure of fire stations and crumbling infrastructure.The figures were obtained through a freedom of information request by the Scottish Conservatives.
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