Scottish and UK governments must act to save Alexander Dennis jobs
- The Scottish and UK governments have been urged to prevent the closure of Alexander Dennis to protect about 400 jobs.
- Colin Smyth, convenor of Holyrood's Economy and Fair Work Committee, has communicated the necessity for immediate government action.
- The committee concluded that strong collaboration between the two governments is essential to ensure the future of bus manufacturing in Scotland.
In Scotland, immediate action is being called for to preserve bus manufacturing, particularly at Alexander Dennis. This situation stems from the company's proposals to relocate manufacturing from Falkirk and Larbert to Scarborough, resulting in approximately 400 workers facing redundancy. The Economy and Fair Work Committee, led by Colin Smyth, a Labour MSP, has communicated this urgent need directly to Finance Secretary Shona Robison and Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, emphasizing that the potential loss of these highly-skilled jobs would severely impact the local community and the economy at large. The committee has highlighted the critical nature of retaining these jobs, urging the Scottish and UK governments to collaborate on strategies that would stimulate demand and encourage procurement processes that favor local businesses. Smyth's letter stressed the vital importance of local manufacturing, particularly in light of a growing demand for buses in the UK and Europe, which supports broader climate and transportation goals. Concerns have also been raised regarding previous support from Scottish Enterprise amounting to £20 million intended for the research and development of net-zero buses. There are fears that this funding may not lead to any actual bus production in Scotland, further underscoring the urgency of the situation. Smyth expressed the need for the Scottish government to take decisive action to reinforce local manufacturing capacity and to ensure that local firms are prioritized in procurement processes amidst allegations that buses are being made in places like China, impacting local employment. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray has been actively engaging with the company, indicating that discussions aimed at finding solutions to the looming job losses are ongoing. He has also called on the Scottish government to enhance their efforts in supporting Alexander Dennis. The situation remains critical, as the redundancy consultation process is nearing completion in mid-August, making it imperative for the governments involved to take swift action to secure a sustainable future for bus manufacturing in Scotland.