Latest news with #Falkirk-based
Daily Record
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Alexander Dennis closure risks leaving communities 'hollowed out' as union calls for public ownership
EXCLUSIVE: The GMB warned repeated job losses across Scotland's manufacturing sector risks leaving communities "hollowed out". A trade union has called for a Scots bus manufacturer to be nationalised if a rescue deal cannot be agreed to prevent 400 job losses. Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL) announced last week plans to shutter its two factories in Camelon and Larbert and centralise its operations in Yorkshire. The move would bring an end to more than 100 years of bus building in the Falkirk district and comes just weeks after the closure of the oil refinery in nearby Grangemouth. The GMB trade union has today warned that repeated job losses across Scotland's manufacturing sector risks leaving communities "hollowed out". Louise Gilmour, the union's Scottish secretary, branded the threatened closure "absurd" given the demand for more environmentally friendly vehicles. John Swinney last week blamed strict procurement rules on state subsidy on why the Scottish Government was not able to place more orders with the Falkirk-based firm. ADL recently completed work on more than 160 new buses for the Greater Manchester combined authority, which brought bus services back under public control. But buses remain privatised across Scotland - meaning companies can choose to order cheaper imports from China instead of ordering from the UK. In a letter to Swinney and Ian Murray, the Scottish Secretary, Gilmour warned communities were being "hammered". She said: "It is absurd that a country with a bus network as extensive as Scotland's is not able to sustain its only bus manufacturer. "In the long term, procurement rules must be reviewed placing a clear and considerable preference on domestic manufacturing. An industrial strategy which mandates domestic manufacturing content is also needed. "Both governments have a role in delivering this. The public ownership of Scotland's bus networks to place this emphasis in procurement must now be fast tracked. "However, the short-term future of the sites must be secured urgently. Promises of leaving no stone unturned have been heard by our members before. "Our members do not need warm words. They need a strategy with a backbone. If required, the public ownership of the site must be an option." The union chief also said the GMB had written to ADL last month with an offer to work together to secure the Scottish sites, which was rejected by the firm. She added: "The planned closure of these sites are in addition to job losses at Tarmac in East Lothian and the closure of Aggregate Industries in North Lanarkshire as both companies seek to move operations to England. "It also follows the closure of Grangemouth. So not only is Scotland's manufacturing base being hollowed out, these losses are hammering communities in the Falkirk area. "Our members have seen contract after contract for buses go overseas. Our buses are built in China whilst our ferries are built in Poland. They have seen more orders from Manchester local authorities than they have from Scotland. "It is not party political to point this out – it is a fact and a reflection of the clear failures to heed warnings from trade unions. It has only been a few months since Scottish jobs were lost from Alexander Dennis. This should have been foreseen and prevented." The Record asked the Scottish and UK Governments for comment.
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Gregor Poynton MP urges Scottish Government to take decisive action to protect jobs at Alexander Dennis
Gregor Poynton, Member of Parliament for the Livingston constituency, has today written to the First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, and the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, urging them to take immediate and decisive action to safeguard the future of bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis and the livelihoods of its workers. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, 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... Mr Poynton joins Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar and the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, in challenging the Scottish Government over its handling of the crisis facing this major employer. The move follows the announcement that Alexander Dennis, based in Falkirk, intends to shift manufacturing operations to England—placing hundreds of skilled Scottish jobs at risk. In recent years, Alexander Dennis has played a critical role in delivering low- and zero-emission buses for public transport networks across the UK. The company has supplied over 160 vehicles for Greater Manchester's Bee Network, while the Scottish Government has placed an order for just 44 buses out of a potential 252 under its own zero-emission bus scheme. The majority of these government-funded orders have instead been awarded to manufacturers based outside Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In his letter to the First Minister and Cabinet Secretary, Mr Poynton stated: 'Alexander Dennis is one of the most significant and reputable employers within the Central Belt, and the potential loss of these highly skilled jobs would have a profound impact on local communities, including many constituents within the Livingston constituency. Lothian Bus 'The transport industry is a cornerstone of our economy and an essential service in the daily lives of people across Scotland. Supporting a Scottish-based manufacturer of low-emission and zero-emission buses aligns not only with economic priorities but also with our shared goals around sustainability, skills retention, and fair work. 'Beyond the immediate impact on jobs, we must also consider the wider ramifications for Scotland's industrial future. The loss of another major employer represents a setback for our national economy and undermines the skills and experience we have worked so hard to foster. It is vital that a comprehensive strategy is put in place to support the workforce, safeguard jobs, and prevent further industrial decline.' Mr Poynton emphasised the far-reaching implications of further industrial decline for communities across the Central Belt, particularly in Livingston, where many constituents live within commuting distance of the Falkirk-based company. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Commenting further, Mr Poynton said: 'We must act swiftly and decisively to support Alexander Dennis and secure the future of bus manufacturing in Scotland. Gregor Poynton MP at Lothian Buses 'It is astounding that a company so clearly aligned with the Scottish Government's policies on net zero, green jobs, and sustainable transport is not being prioritised in public procurement. Instead, contracts are being awarded to firms based outside of Scotland, risking the future of our own workforce. 'I will continue to work with my colleagues across Scottish Labour to apply pressure on the Scottish Government to act urgently. We must do all we can to protect the jobs, livelihoods, and financial security of workers in Livingston, Falkirk, and across Scotland.' The letter and Mr Poynton's call to action come at a time of growing concern over job losses and industrial decline across Scotland, particularly following the recent announcement of the closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery. With another major employer at risk, the need for a coherent, jobs-first industrial strategy has never been more pressing.
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Campbell gets nod as Scotland seek revenge
Ian Campbell has been selected by Scotland for the men's Home Nations shore angling championships in Ireland. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, 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... And the Tartan Team are determined to take the title from the hosts after being denied by fish countback 12 months ago. Falkirk-based Campbell, retail manager of the Edinburgh Angling Centre, will cast a line in his second Home Nations having fished for his country for the first time in last year's event on home soil at Riverside Drive in Dundee. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Also included for the trip to Coleraine is Stewart Falconer (Arbroath), a regular in the Edinburgh Winter and New Year Shore League matches organised by Campbell in and around the Capital, and he makes his debut. Ian Campbell making his debut for Scotland 12 months ago at Riverside Drive David Neil and Brian Maxwell from Ayr and Bruce Maclean (Stranraer) complete the team for the trip to Northern Ireland. Mike Horn, chairman of the Scottish Federation for Sea Anglers (SFSA), said this was a 'hugely experienced' line-up who will do 'fine' when they cast a line in the event. The organisers, The Irish Federation of Sea Anglers, confirm that the matches are at Longfield Wall on the Foyle Estuary, on day one and three, and Benone Strand. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Common species at Longfield are flounder and eels and at Benone, flounder, turbot and bass. Ian Campbell at Granton Harbour near the Edinburgh Angling Centre where he works The beaches and estuary can be fished with a variety of rigs depending on the target species and distance required. Plain leads can be used but anglers are advised that sea conditions are unpredictable. When wind and tide combine, it can be hard fishing and heavy grip leads may be required so as not to impede fellow anglers. Bait will be frozen black lugworm, frozen mackerel, frozen whole peeler crab for Longfield and sandeel for Benone. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The ladies and juniors will fish the same beaches and the women's line-up includes Margo Robinson who makes her debut. The Dumbarton-based angler is no stranger to international fishing having appeared on several occasions for the international carp team, including casting a line in the world championships. Also included are Brighton-based Joanne Barlow, Lesley Maby (Cumbria), Gill Coutts (Largs) and Buffy McAvoy, a long-time Edinburgh resident. Kevin Lewis, their manager, said this year's Scotland squad have enjoyed several training weekends alongside the Scotland Junior team. They have been a great benefit to both groups. The ladies will practice on the Sunday before the official practice session on the Monday. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The junior squad includes Edinburgh schoolboy, Eryk Janik, and Nuno Santos, the team's new team manager, is desperate for his squad to make a real impact. Meanwhile, Falconer celebrated his international call-up by landing the longest fish, a 34cm flounder, in the latest SFSA Open at Riverside Drive in Dundee on Sunday. Simon Hogan (Cumbria) with 15 fish and 395 points won Zone A with Stevie Burns (Prestonpans) second with 14 fish for 316 points. Davy Cooper (Edinburgh) won Zone B with 17 fish for 378 points with James Duncan (Montrose) second with 15 fish for 290 points. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Flounders, eels and a few bass and whiting were caught but organiser, Chris Horn, said the venue did not fish anywhere near its potential with a smaller tide the likely reason. The SFSA presented their league prizes after Sunday's event on Tayside at the winner was Mike Kyle (Easthouses, Midlothian) with Mike Horn (Kirkcaldy) second and David Cooper (Edinburgh) third. Tronixpro were the sponsors. Locally, Jimmy Green (Musselburgh) won round five in the Bass Rock Shore Angllng League's summer series at Seacliffe Beach with a fish of 28cm. James Ogilvie and Dave Turnball (Haddington) were second equal with fish of 25cm with Max Garrett Jun from Dunbar third with a 23cm fish. The next round is on June 18 and the venue will be confirmed this weekend. Elsewhere, The Erskine Open has been brought forward to Saturday, August 9 from its previous date in late September and bosses of the Clyde and Western Region have confirmed the date for their Open Shore Sweepstake. It is August 24 at Greenock Esplanade and registration will be from 8.30am to 10.30am with fishing from 11am to 16.00. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It is a pegged, catch, measure and release match and the limit is 18cm. SFSA rules apply and the match rules are three hooks maximum. Entry is £15 and juniors are free with a participating adult. Contact Billy Buckley on 07732 741285 for details and this is pre-booking only. St Serfs hosted their first summer league match and it was fished in bright, fairly calm conditions over high water at Wormit Bay and some anglers were rewarded with some decent fish. George Harris, the club's secretary, won with 336 points and C Hay was second on 327 points. He had the longest fish at 36cm with M Abrahams third on 120 points. D Erskine was fourth with 41 points and I Crombie and F McFarlane were tied for fifth on 39 points. Fly fishing now and Lake of Menteith report that evening fishing has been producing the best results, probably due to calmer conditions. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Millhall near Polmont confirm a drop in catch returns with almost no surface activity. Anglers are having to go deeper for success. J Bown was top rod with eight fish. Buzzer patterns worked best and most other returns were in the three to five fish range. Bowden Springs at Linlithgow say Brian Scott had 11, the biggest a 6lb brown, on dries, and John Kearney Sen had ten on the bung. Recent reports from Glencorse include one from Wullie Munn who had 20 to the boat before his battery ran out and Mikey Fisher topped that with 21 to the net, dropped another six, on damsel and diawl bach on fast glass. In East Lothian, Chris Kerr (Tranent) had 16 on FAB and buzzer at Newlands Tweedale.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
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."
Glasgow Times
08-05-2025
- Glasgow Times
Brazen crook slammed after conning dozens out of sheds
Clever crook Alistair Baxter took thousands of pounds for the work from almost 70 people, including pensioners in their seventies. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said he took orders and banked large deposits from punters across several areas in Scotland, including Dunbartonshire, Stirlingshire, Glasgow, and Aberdeen. However, the crook then failed to carry out any work, leaving his victims out of pocket. READ MORE: Man dies after police alerted to incident at Glasgow canal READ MORE: Murder probe after young man found dead inside Glasgow home Baxter, described as a self-employed joiner and the owner of Falkirk-based AB Garden Building Ltd, was sentenced at Stirling Sheriff Court on Wednesday, May 7, after pleading guilty to fraud. The 36-year-old has now been locked up for three years and four months. After being sentenced, Helen Nisbet, Procurator Fiscal for Tayside, Central, and Fife, slammed Baxter. She said: 'This was a clear case of deception and an egregious breach of trust by Alistair Baxter. 'He took significant sums of cash from people who paid him to do work and then brazenly refused to do the work or return their deposits. 'It was an appalling course of behaviour and he has now been held to account for his crimes.' The COPFS said Baxter, who advertised his business on social media, carried out his offending between September 2020 and March 2024. READ MORE: Man found dead inside Glasgow home as detectives spotted on street READ MORE: More arrests after 'violent incidents' amid Scotland 'gang war' In June 2022, a 68-year-old woman paid £4,150 as a deposit after Baxter quoted £5,900 to build a summerhouse. In September of that year, Baxter told her the job would not be carried out until the full £1,800 balance had been paid. The money was transferred, however, the work was never carried out, and no refund was issued. Meanwhile, in September 2023, a 74-year-old woman paid a £1,250 deposit for a summerhouse, but the work was never started. She was later falsely told by Baxter that the money had been refunded into her bank account. Some victims received deliveries of materials, but no construction work ever took place.
