Union backs fire plan

THE Scottish firefighters' union has backed the creation of a single brigade for the whole country.

The move would see eight forces combined into one, with the merger of back office functions and the axing of individual brigades' HQs.

It has been estimated that the radical overhaul could make savings of up to 40 million.

A spokesman for the Fire Brigade Union said: "We have indicated our preference for a single service option. It is the governance, standards and risk that matter - and not the size and shape."