Blue light bombshell as emergency services face soaring fuel and insurance costs

Marking this year's 999 Day, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today (Tuesday 9th September) warned that the emergency services are being “squeezed to the pips” by the cost-of-living crisis as his party revealed that the police and ambulance services have seen soaring costs for fuel and insurance.

Figures uncovered through freedom of information reveal that:

• Police Scotland’s annual spend on vehicle insurance has more than doubled since 2019/20, increasing from £292,506 to £632,687 in 2024/25.
• The force’s projected spending on insurance for police service vehicles for the financial year 2025/26 is set to be £761,250.
• Over the past six years, Police Scotland have spent more than £42 million on fuel. Their projected spend on fuel costs in 2025/26 is £7,102,512.
• Insurance costs for the Scottish Ambulance Service vehicles increased from £1,270,356 in 2019/20 to £1,944,094 in 2024/25.
• Over the past six years, the Scottish Ambulance Service has spent more than £52 million on fuel.

Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

“Our emergency services are facing bills that amount to a blue light bombshell.

“The Conservatives badly mismanaged the economy, leaving everyone worse off. The SNP’s costly blunders have resulted in less funding for Scotland’s overwhelmed public services.

“Police officers, paramedics, victims of crime and patients waiting on ambulances are all paying the price of poor governance. After years of being squeezed to the pips, they deserve a fair deal.

“The SNP have been in power too long and have failed to get the basics right. They’ve had their chance and let you down. Scottish Liberal Democrats took seats off the SNP at the General Election and our local champions are determined to do the same again next year.”