National police and fire services approved

Group Political Editor

Thursday 28 June 2012

SCOTLAND will have a single national police force and a single fire and rescue service after MSPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of merging the current regional organisations.

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Brian Currie Political Editor

The move will end the duplication caused by the present system of eight separate authorities for each service.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the mergers would ensure they were fit to face the challenges of the 21st century.

He said the new set-up would protect frontline services, making them more efficient and effective and save up to £1.7 billion over 15 years.Although Labour tabled 34 amendments to the Bill yesterday, the party had already indicated its general support and its MSPs were among 101 who voted for the new legislation. Only six MSPs voted against – the LibDems, who have consistently argued against the centralisation of power, and the Greens.The Tories abstained, with leader Ruth Davidson saying they supported reform but the Bill was flawed because it didn't meet their demands for "local accountability and value for money".LibDem spokeswoman Alison McInnes said: "It's an ominous sign for the future that Scotland's police force will be at the beck and call of the Government, rather than answerable to local communities."Although backing the Bill, Labour spokesman Lewis Macdonald warned that Scotland's new top police officer could be sacked if he had different priorities from the Government of the day.

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National police and fire services approved

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