SNP 'overlooking Scottish industry' as historic bus manufacturer threatens move to England
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said the English city had invested more in Scottish-built buses than the SNP Government.
The SNP Government has been accused of "overlooking Scottish industry" after an historic bus manufacturer announced plans to close two factories and switch production to England.
More than 400 jobs are at risk after Alexander Dennis said this week it intended to close its plants in Camelon and Larbert and centralise operations in Scarborough.
The announcement is a fresh blow for the Falkirk district after the recent closure of the refinery in nearby Grangemouth.
Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, today pressed SNP ministers over why they had not secured more orders for Alexander Dennis compared to his own region.
The Falkirk-based firm provided more than 160 brand new buses for the English city as part of a major investment in its public transport network.
The company, owned by a Canadian parent firm, employs 1,950 people in the UK, with its biggest plant in Larbert. It also has a UK supply chain employing a further 6,350 people.
"Our iconic Bee Network buses are a bit of Scotland right here in Greater Manchester," said Burnham.
"We have over 160 Alexander Dennis buses criss-crossing our city-region every day - connecting our communities to opportunity.
"If Greater Manchester can invest in world-class Scottish bus manufacturing then why can't the SNP Scottish Government?
"Meeting the ADL staff in Falkirk who have helped us to make the Bee Network a reality is always a pleasure and my thoughts are with them at this difficult time."
Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, said: "Just as we have seen with the SNP opting to order lifeline ferries from Turkey, Ministers are once again overlooking Scottish industry.
"Alexander Dennis buses are already serving passengers successfully across Greater Manchester, yet SNP ministers appear unwilling to give their full backing to the company for the benefit of people here.
"John Swinney promised this scheme would 'open up new economic opportunities', but he has failed to turn those words into action.
"If the First Minister is serious about boosting Scotland's economy and supporting workers, he should start by investing in Scottish workers."
Kate Forbes, the Deputy First Minister, said yesterday: "This will be a hugely worrying time for the workforce at Alexander Dennis, their families and the wider community.
'In recent weeks, the Scottish Government has engaged extensively with Alexander Dennis and its parent company NFI to understand the issues and ensure that every possible avenue is explored to mitigate the need for redundancies.
"This has included discussions with myself, the First Minister, leadership within Scottish Enterprise and Transport Scotland and the UK Government.
'The Scottish Government will continue to explore any and all options throughout the consultation period to allow the firm to retain their hard-working employees and manufacturing and production facilities at Falkirk and Larbert.
"In the event of any job losses, the Scottish Government will provide support through our Partnership Action for Continuing Employment initiative."
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