New figures have revealed Police Scotland face a multi-million pound rise in gas and electricity bills at stations across the country. Data, obtained through a freedom of information request, has shown the force is braced for increases of over £4 million on last year - hitting already overstretched policing budgets.
The increases are expected to be covered by existing budgets, with bosses monitoring the situation in a bid to understand the impact on front-line policing. Electricity bills for stations and other authority-run buildings is expected to rise from £7,432,686 in 2021/22 to £8,539,653 in 2022/23 - an increase of £1,106,937.
Similarly, gas bills will also see a large spike across the force, increasing from £2,309,820 in 2021/22 to £5,428,476 in 2022/23 - an increase of £3,118,656.
