Alexander Dennis staff left 'numb' after 400 jobs put at risk
Staff at Scottish bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis where 400 jobs are at risk due have been left feeling 'numb'.
The global independent bus manufacturer, a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., confirmed that a consultation process had begun on Wednesday.
The firm, which has eight sites across the UK including Falkirk and Larbert, announced that up to 400 jobs Scottish jobs could be axed.
Alexander Dennis says it is consolidating its UK bus body manufacturing operations into a single site in Scarborough, England.
The site in Falkirk is to be shut down, and production lines at Larbert will be suspended upon the completion of current contracts.
Alexander Dennis said the move will 'lower overall costs, deliver clearer responsibilities and increase efficiency'.
First Minister John Swinney has vowed to 'explore every option' to save jobs at the firm.
However, workers told STV News on Thursday that the cuts have left them feeling numb and devastated.
Hamish Anderson, who has worked for the firm for more than three decades, said: 'I've come up through the ranks. I started as a coach builder, a trainee.
'We weren't expecting anything of this magnitude. We were brought in and given the devastating news.
'We're in limbo just now, but are still actively pursuing trying to save the plant and the jobs.'
He added: 'Members are feeling unsure, numb and disappointed.'
Robert Deavy, GMB Scotland senior organiser in engineering and manufacturing, said: 'This is a hammer blow for communities already reeling from the closure of Grangemouth.
'Like then, we are already hearing the same warm words from ministers about how they have tried but failed to secure workers' jobs.
'If they have tried, they must try again and try harder.
'If the company is reviewing future operations, it must do so with an open mind and a determination to save jobs not shed them.
'We will do everything in our power to secure the future of Alexander Dennis in Falkirk and so must the company and so must ministers.'
Sharon Graham Unite general secretary added: 'The announcement by Alexander Dennis to close its operations at Falkirk and Larbert is devastating.
'It is the latest huge economic blow to hit local communities on the back of the Grangemouth oil refinery closing.
'Hundreds of highly-skilled jobs are being lost and government ministers are guilty of sitting idly by while people and communities are being ripped apart. They will not be forgiven for their inaction and silence.'
Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis president and managing director, said: 'We are proposing a new UK manufacturing strategy to underpin financial sustainability and lower operating costs in the face of changing and challenging market dynamics.
'Together with our parent NFI Group, we are extremely proud of our UK history and legacy dating back to 1895 and firmly believe in our people, products and business.
'We must take significant action to drive efficiency to allow our operating model to be competitive.
'It is extremely regrettable that as part of this, we must place jobs at potential risk of redundancy and propose to cease manufacturing operations at some of our facilities.'
Mr Davies added: 'While stakeholders have been sympathetic of the situation, the stark reality is that current UK policy does not allow for the incentivisation or reward of local content, job retention and creation, nor does it encourage any domestic economic benefit.
'We have warned of the competitive imbalance for some time and would like to see policy and legislative changes that incentivise the delivery of local benefit where taxpayer money is invested.
'We strongly believe funding that supports public transport should lead to investment in local jobs, domestic supply chains, technology creation and a recurrent tax base.
'It is our hope that the forthcoming industrial strategy will provide reassurance that there is value in manufacturing within the borders of the UK and we remain hopeful of policy and legislative changes that increase the UK's focus on support for domestic manufacturing.
'Our new strategy would allow us to respond appropriately to increase local production if structural changes are made.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
14 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Legendary Pictish Stones inspires interiors for stunning new Perthshire show home
A collection of early medieval Pictish sculptures has been revealed as the inspiration behind the interiors for a stunning new showhome launching this weekend at Meigle, Perthshire. From gorgeous Georgian town houses to jaw-dropping penthouses, converted campervans to bargain boltholes. Take a peek at the finest homes across the UK. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Forming the cornerstone of Campion Homes' brand new Strathmore Meadows development at Meigle, the stunning five-bedroom 'Azalea' will open its doors to prospective buyers on Saturday (14 June). The official showhome launch follows an exclusive early release of six homes late last year which were quickly snapped up. Scottish design experts, Signature Interiors, created the bespoke interior of the Azalea and took much of their inspiration from the local Pictish stone sculptures which Meigle is famous for. Dating back almost a thousand years, the 26 carved stones are all that remains of what was a powerful Pict settlement. The stones are housed at the nearby Meigle Sculptured Stone Museum. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Animals feature heavily in Pictish carvings and some stones at the local Meigle feature still incredibly recognisable images of snakes, camels and even crocodiles. There are also images of humans on horseback. Inside the new showhome at Strathmore Meadows Caitlin Roddenof Signature Interiors, said: 'It's important to us at Signature that we take inspiration for our projects from the local areas where we work. Honestly, this is the first time we have used Pictish stones and sculptures as design inspiration but from the moment we first learned about Meigle's historic links to this period of Scottish history we knew we had to honour it in our design. 'These mystical stones, with their beautiful natural terracotta and neutral earthy tones, are mirrored throughout the Azalea's interior palette and offer a warm, cosy and inviting atmosphere.' Nestled in the historic village of Meigle in Perthshire, Strathmore Meadows will feature a mix of 75 two to six bedroom houses and two and three bedroom bungalows. The development will include an impressive selection of 16 individual, energy-efficient, house types. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Marking this exciting milestone for Strathmore Meadows, Sharifa Joy, Sales & Marketing Manager at Campion Homes, said: 'Launching the showhome at Strathmore Meadows represents a fantastic milestone on the journey to create this beautiful new development in the heart of the Perthshire countryside. The Azalea provides opulent and flexible living and has been exclusively designed with five double bedrooms, integrated double garage and open plan kitchen/dining area. However, with 16 different house styles available, from two to six bedrooms, there is something for every stage of life. The interior design is inspired by local Pictish stones 'Strathmore Meadows offers the best of both worlds being in the heart of rural Perthshire but conveniently close enough to large towns and cities like Perth and Dundee. 'Visitors to our showhome will be able to see the award-winning craftsmanship and commitment to quality that Campion Homes has maintained for over 35 years. We're really happy to be continuing our partnership with Signature Interiors and are delighted with the results they have delivered. 'We look forward to welcoming prospective buyers this weekend, to give them a taste of living at Strathmore Meadows and to discover more about Campion Homes. As a trusted developer, we take immense pride in delivering high-quality homes tailored to a variety of buyers. Whether it's our commitment to CSR initiatives or the diverse range of homes we offer, we aim to make homeownership accessible while providing exceptional build quality and personalised choices through our 'Choices' suite experience. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "Beyond building homes, we're deeply invested in the local community - from proudly sponsoring Meigle Cricket Club and supporting the community Christmas Light Switch On, to donating to the primary school nativity trip and partnering with local businesses like Flour Coffee Shop & Deli. Strathmore Meadows represents not just a new development, but a continuation of our commitment to crafting great places for people to live and thrive." The 'Azalea' showhome that opens this weekend Caitlin Rodden continued: 'We have worked with Campion Homes on a number of their developments. Their commitment to creating beautiful bespoke homes is evident in the quality and finish of each property. When we start our interior design journey for each new home we always try to put ourselves in the shoes of families that will one day call it their own. The Azalea is a thoughtfully designed home, with the Juliet balcony in the primary bedroom providing a peaceful place to unwind and the double doors taking you from the lounge to the kitchen/dining area making it perfect for families and entertaining. 'We are so pleased with the interior finish of this house and the fact that it's been inspired by the local history of the local area makes it incredibly special.' Following the early release, the first residents are due to move into their new homes later this month. Strathmore Meadows is ideal for prospective homeowners looking for a blend of rural charm and easy accessibility. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad For nature lovers, Strathmore Meadows is surrounded by Perthshire's breathtaking scenery, with easy access to the Grampian Mountains and the Cairngorms. Residents will also be close to a wealth of outdoor recreational activities, from fishing on the River Tay to golfing at Alyth, St Andrews, and Gleneagles, or even skiing at nearby Glenshee. Campion Homes' Azalea showhome at Strathmore Meadows will open from 10.30am on Saturday 14 June. Thereafter it will be open 10.30am-4.30pm Thursday to Monday.
Scotsman
28 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Scotland to become an AI Marketing Hub as a £750 Billion Opportunity Looms
With the United Kingdom's artificial intelligence industry set to become a transformative sector in the coming years, Scotland has been making waves in the field of AI marketing. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The AI boom is transforming the future of UK innovation, and Scotland is taking a hands-on role in growing use cases for the technology. According to the International Trade Administration, the United Kingdom's AI market is estimated to grow to over $1 trillion by 2035, representing a value of around £750 billion. The UK is currently placed third in the world based on AI market size, and the future appears bright for the growth of the sector. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish businesses have already been actively embracing artificial intelligence for a range of purposes. While 57% of Scottish SMEs claim to have already invested in artificial intelligence-based technology, 90% intend to do so in the future. AI Leading the Marketing AI Charge April saw the Marketing Society Scotland lead the charge to drive AI innovation within the United Kingdom's marketing sector in the latest iteration of its flagship Digital Day. Hosting its 11th sold-out year, the event comprised the world's thought leaders on the marketing landscape and retained a special focus on the latest artificial intelligence advancements, as well as the future of brand engagement and digital disruption. Taking place at the Glasgow Science Centre, the event has sought to explore the intricacies of generative AI and how it can transform the future of the industry. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As a globally-focused event, Digital Day has paved the way for Glasgow to become a key knowledge hub for innovations in the industry at a time when artificial intelligence is estimated to create 133 million new jobs globally by 2030, including fresh opportunities surrounding the marketing landscape. With Marketing Week data showing that 72% of UK marketers are feeling overwhelmed by how quickly their job is changing, Scotland's AI charge could not only uncover the leading industry practices of tomorrow but also accelerate AI literacy at a time when more employers are looking to embrace artificial intelligence tools in the industry. Accommodating AI Adoption Marketing is one of many UK sectors that have actively embraced artificial intelligence tools at scale. Today, the finance sector is a driving force in AI adoption, with as many as 75% of financial companies already using the technology, representing a significant increase from the 58% reported in 2022. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad We're already seeing evidence of UK marketing technology building an infrastructure to accelerate adoption domestically. In March, the London-based firm YAi raised £250,000 for its marketing-focused automated content improvement tools, which have the power to assess the quality of copy in real-time while creating new content based on prompts to streamline marketing campaigns across multiple channels. The windfall, which was raised as part of the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) funding from Jenson Ventures, is intended to support the 98% of marketers who still face challenges in prompt engineering, which is set to become a core component in the future of the industry. It's this nationwide focus on supplying UK marketers with the AI tools needed for success while emphasising building a sustainable level of artificial intelligence literacy among its workforce of talented marketers that can pave the way for industry-leading excellence when it comes to digital transformation. Investing in Scottish Innovation Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad We're likely to see more AI use cases emerge in Scotland in the near future, too. In early 2025, Scottish Enterprise's US MarketBooster Programme saw the founders of five leading science and technology companies descend on Edinburgh to unite Scottish innovation with Silicon Valley. As part of a pilot programme within Scottish Enterprise's new mission-based approach, which is intent on doubling the number of scaling companies in Scotland over the next decade, US founders arranged a 16-week intensive support campaign to accelerate market readiness and revenue growth for innovative companies. Of the five companies chosen to participate in the programme, three specialised in artificial intelligence. Aveni, a financial services AI solutions firm; Lupovis, an AI-driven deception technology cybersecurity firm; and Talking Medicines, an AI-powered conversational data intelligence for healthcare marketing company, all highlight the bright future of Scottish innovation ahead, both inside and outside of AI marketing. Capitalising on a £750 Billion Opportunity With the United Kingdom's artificial intelligence offering a £750 billion opportunity over the decade ahead, we can be sure that the technology will be a transformative force in the future of the nation's digital transformation efforts. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Both inside and outside of the marketing landscape, Scotland is intent on becoming a hub for not only AI innovation but in building technological literacy for a workforce that's being challenged to adapt quickly to a rapidly evolving digital landscape. To capitalise on such a lucrative AI market, initiatives like the Marketing Society Scotland's Digital Day will provide essential support for employees who want to grow their competencies.
STV News
32 minutes ago
- STV News
Couple lose legal challenge over cuts to winter fuel payment
A North Lanarkshire couple who challenged a decision to scrap the winter fuel payment for pensioners have lost their bid to sue the UK and Scottish governments. The challenge was brought by Florence and Peter Fanning, from Coatbridge, who were being represented by former SNP MP Joanna Cherry and the Govan Law Centre. They took their case to the Court of Session in Edinburgh in March, alleging that both governments failed to adequately consult with those of pension age and did not release an equality impact assessment on the changes. In April 2024, the provision of a winter fuel-related payment was devolved to Scottish ministers who proposed a new benefit – the pension age winter heating payment (PAWHP) – causing an adjustment to the block grant funding provided to the Scottish Government by the UK Government. Scottish ministers proposed the payment would be universal, and not means-tested. After Labour swept to power at Westminster in July 2024, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the winter fuel payment would no longer be available to those not in receipt of pension credit or other means-tested benefits, resulting in a reduction to the block grant estimated to be around £160m. The court heard Scottish ministers considered they had no option but to replicate the decision of the UK Government with regards to the PAWHP. The Fannings, who received the WFP in 2023 but were not eligible for PAWHP in 2024, challenged both decisions, claiming neither government had considered the Equality Act 2010 and had both 'failed to consult' with pensioners. They sought to quash the decisions of both governments, and sought a finding they both acted in a way which was 'irrational and unreasonable'. On Friday, it was confirmed the pair had lost their legal battle following the decision of the Outer House of the Court of Session. A spokesperson for Govan Law Centre said: 'While our clients have lost their case at first instance, we have no doubt that this litigation has been influential in securing the partial U-turn made by the Scottish Government last November and the major policy U-turn confirmed by the UK Government earlier this week. 'We hope the Scottish Government will now follow suit and restore the Scottish pension age winter heating payment in full for people such as our clients. 'It is important to appreciate that this challenge was always one of process; the speed of the decision and the fact that it was made allegedly without any equality impact assessment (see repeated public utterances by various UK Government ministers). 'Even had the petitioners won, the most the Court could have done would have been to order each Government to go back to the drawing board to reconsider the cuts made to the winter fuel payment, following the correct processes in law. 'The fact that they have already reconsidered, vindicates our clients' decision to bring this litigation. 'We are particularly pleased that the court found for the petitioners on the issue of standing against the UK Government and dismissed the argument that to enable the challenge to proceed against them was to ignore the existence of the devolution settlement.' The court heard Scottish ministers considered they had no option but to replicate the decision of the UK Government with regards to PAWHP. The Fannings, who received the WFP in 2023 but were not eligible for PAWHP in 2024, claimed neither government had considered the Equality Act 2010 and had both 'failed to consult' with pensioners. They sought to quash the decisions of both governments, and sought a finding they both acted in a way which was 'irrational and unreasonable'. The Fannings also sought a finding that both decisions were unlawful under the Human Rights Act 1998. However, Judge Lady Hood rejected all six requests. In her decision, published on Friday, Lady Hood found neither government had failed to exercise their duties under the Equality Act 2010, and neither government was under a duty to consult. She also held the decisions were neither 'irrational nor unreasonable' and did not breach the Human Rights Act 1998, and she ruled they were 'in pursuit of a legitimate aim'. In a written judgment, Lady Hood said: 'In this case, the decision which each respondent faced as to whether the payment of WFP, or PAWHP, should be made on a universal or means-tested basis fell within the field of socioeconomic policy. 'It was a policy decision involving questions of the allocation of resources, and practical and political assessments that this court would not be well-placed to judge. 'That the policy decisions could result in hardship for those falling on one side of a brightline rule is not enough to render it irrational in the legal sense.' Lady Hood added: 'The petitioners asserted that elderly people suffering from disabilities rendering them vulnerable to cold temperatures constituted a group in our society which has suffered considerable discrimination in the past… However mere assertion is not enough to bring a group within that definition, and the petitioners did not sufficiently demonstrate to the court that this cohort of the population did do so.' The petition was refused on all grounds. Lady Hood's judgment concluded: 'I shall therefore repel the petitioners' first to eighth pleas‑in‑law, and refuse the petition.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
