The Scottish Government must stop the budget cuts that are threatening the future of a Fire Service rescue boat which could be crucial in saving people on Loch Lomond and the River Leven.

The Dumbarton constituency MSP spoke about the tragedy of drownings in both local inland bodies of water in recent years during a debate at the Scottish Parliament following Drowning Prevention Week.

She paid tribute to the family of Ava Gray, who sadly drowned in the River Leven in 2020. They openly spoke out about the lack of signage and available lifesaving equipment on local waterways with their efforts helping to secure additional signage and public rescue equipment stations.

During her speech, Ms Baillie also paid tribute to volunteers from Loch Lomond Rescue Boat who work tirelessly to assist people who get into difficulty on the loch.

However, the MSP told how budget cuts to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, including to the Water Rescue Boat at Polmadie, are putting more lives in danger with action urgently needing to be taken.

Jackie Baillie said: “The tragic deaths which have happened in local waterways in recent years have caused unthinkable heartache for the families involved and have been devastating for the local communities around Loch Lomond and the Leven.

“I commend, in particular, Ava Gray’s mum and aunt for forcing action to make lifesaving equipment more accessible and to improve signage. I have no doubt that this will already have made a difference as does the immense contribution from the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat volunteers but the loch is 39 kilometres long and requires resources which are proportionate to such a vast expanse of water.

“There is much more that can be done and the threat to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service rescue boat at Polmadie which also covers Loch Lomond is a disastrous prospect. This cannot possibly go ahead. The Scottish Government needs to ensure that the Fire Service is properly resourced and teams that are responsible for saving lives are not ripped apart because of budget cuts.”