SCOTLAND’S First Minister Humza Yousaf has been urged to act on a culture of exclusion for female firefighters in the service.

FBU Scotland’s women’s rep Rachel Rogers has written to Mr Yousaf to demand action after it emerged in a recent Sunday Mail report that women had been forced to change in cupboards and go home to use the toilet due to poor facilities in the nation’s fire stations.

Ms Rogers branded the situation deeply humiliating, adding that it creates a culture of exclusion. She warned that ongoing cuts in the service meant the problem risked going unaddressed.

She wrote: “The chronic shortfall in funding from the Scottish government is clearly at the root of this problem.

“The fact that the capital budget for fire stations has yet to recognise the situation adds insult to injury. 

“I urge you, First Minister, to take immediate action to address this issue.

“The Scottish government must provide the necessary funding to the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service to ensure that all fire stations are equipped with adequate facilities for both men and women firefighters.

“This is a matter of basic justice and decency.”

The Scottish government was contacted for comment.