Latest news with #AlexanderDennis
STV News
11 hours ago
- Business
- STV News
Forbes will ‘leave no stone unturned' to help save Alexander Dennis jobs
Scotland's deputy First Minister has pledged to 'leave no stone unturned' to secure a future for the workers at risk of losing their jobs at bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis. Kate Forbes, who is also the Economy Secretary, said the Scottish Government would 'explore every avenue' to save the 400 jobs at risk of redundancy. Up to 400 jobs have been put at risk after the manufacturer announced plans to move operations in Falkirk and Larbert to a single site in Scarborough in North Yorkshire. PA Media 400 jobs at Alexander Dennis are at risk (Andrew Milligan/PA). It comes after more than 400 jobs were lost at the nearby Grangemouth refinery. Forbes said ministers at Holyrood first spoke with the firm about the proposals on May 25, and said she believed the UK Government did so at that time too. She insisted she was 'determined' to find an alternative to job cuts at the Falkirk and Larbert factories. Opposition parties accused the Scottish Government of having done nothing, despite the company warning a year ago that it may cut jobs in Scotland. Vowing to 'leave no stone unturned', Forbes said in a statement to the Scottish Parliament: 'We are determined to help the business find an alternative to that route and to find different ways to meet market challenges through investment and improved performance. 'A key part of that is the ability of Alexander Dennis to secure future orders, and that is why we are working closely with the company to identify and secure a forward pipeline of demand for high quality buses from Scottish and UK customers.' She said securing a pipeline for bus orders in Scotland was 'key' to securing the future of the sector in Scotland. She added: 'We will work in close collaboration with the company, with trade unions and the UK Government to find practical solutions. 'We are not going to play politics with the situation. 'We will continue to explore every avenue to avoid job losses.' The situation dominated Labour's questions at FMQs on Thursday, with Anas Sarwar accusing the First Minister John Swinney of doing 'nothing' to save the jobs, despite warnings they could be lost. The Scottish Labour leader pointed to a letter from last August, from Paul Soubry, president and chief executive of Alexander Dennis's parent company, NFI, who told Swinney: 'We are regretfully left with the impression through recent developments that the Scottish Government has little regard for domestic bus manufacturing jobs in Scotland and we have no choice but to reconsider our entire investment in the Scottish operations of Alexander Dennis.' Sarwar said: 'Last week, John Swinney claimed that he became aware of issues facing Alexander Dennis a few weeks ago and was doing what he could to help the company. 'But that is not true. John Swinney received a letter almost a year ago directly from the company setting out how his decision to buy buses from China, instead of from Scotland, was putting the company and jobs at risk. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray echoed that sentiment, telling the PA news agency: 'The bottom line here is that the Scottish Government have known about this for a year and done absolutely nothing. 'There's a pattern here, they knew about the Grangemouth refinery closing for three years and did nothing. 'And now what they're trying to do is pass the ball back to Westminster.' He said the UK Government is doing 'all we possibly can' to resolve the issues at the bus plant, adding: 'The big issue with Alexander Dennis in Falkirk is the Scottish Government didn't buy as many buses off them as they should have done. 'In fact they bought four times fewer as Andy Burnham in Manchester.' Speaking after Forbes' speech at Holyrood, Tory MSP Stephen Kerr said the Scottish Government could not 'conceal' the fact it 'did nothing'. He said: 'Let us be clear, I hear what the deputy First Minister says about setting politics aside, but our role here is to scrutinise the performance of the Scottish Government – and this crisis did not come out of the blue. 'This statement, however skilfully delivered, cannot conceal the truth: the SNP Government was warned repeatedly for over a year and did nothing. 'When Alexander Dennis asked for support, they were met with silence. 'When Scottish jobs were on the line, the Scottish Government were looking in another direction. PA Media Scottish Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr said the Scottish Government did 'nothing' despite warnings from the company (Fraser Bremner/Scottish Daily Mail/PA). 'When buses, orders for buses were needed, those orders went to China.' Unite union Scottish secretary Derek Thomson said: 'Unite has held positive and constructive meetings with the Deputy First Minister to explore all options which can keep the Alexander Dennis sites open in Falkirk and Larbert. 'We welcome the Scottish Government actively working with the trade unions to find solutions to the threat of 400 highly skilled jobs being lost. 'It is our firm belief that there are pathways to retaining a manufacturing presence at the sites.' 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
The National
11 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Kate Forbes pledges to help save Alexander Dennis jobs
Kate Forbes, who is also the Economy Secretary, said the Scottish Government would 'explore every avenue' to save the 400 jobs at risk of redundancy. Up to 400 jobs have been put at risk after the manufacturer announced plans to move operations in Falkirk and Larbert to a single site in Scarborough in North Yorkshire. It comes after more than 400 jobs were lost at the nearby Grangemouth refinery. READ MORE: Labour whip resigns over government's planned disability welfare cuts Forbes said ministers at Holyrood first spoke with the firm about the proposals on May 25, and said she believed the UK Government did so at that time too. She insisted she was 'determined' to find an alternative to job cuts at the Falkirk and Larbert factories. Opposition parties accused the Scottish Government of having done nothing, despite the company warning a year ago that it may cut jobs in Scotland. Vowing to 'leave no stone unturned', Ms Forbes said in a statement to the Scottish Parliament: 'We are determined to help the business find an alternative to that route and to find different ways to meet market challenges through investment and improved performance. 'A key part of that is the ability of Alexander Dennis to secure future orders, and that is why we are working closely with the company to identify and secure a forward pipeline of demand for high quality buses from Scottish and UK customers.' She said securing a pipeline for bus orders in Scotland was 'key' to securing the future of the sector in Scotland. She added: 'We will work in close collaboration with the company, with trade unions and the UK Government to find practical solutions. 'We are not going to play politics with the situation. 'We will continue to explore every avenue to avoid job losses.' Unite union Scottish secretary Derek Thomson said: 'Unite has held positive and constructive meetings with the Deputy First Minister to explore all options which can keep the Alexander Dennis sites open in Falkirk and Larbert. 'We welcome the Scottish Government actively working with the trade unions to find solutions to the threat of 400 highly skilled jobs being lost. 'It is our firm belief that there are pathways to retaining a manufacturing presence at the sites.'
Daily Record
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Iran and Israel conflict can only be settled with cool heads
The conflict between Israel and Iran is deeply worrying for anyone who cares about world peace. Two of the most influential powers in a turbulent region are attacking each other and it is hard to see the end in sight. Israel claims their attacks were designed to snuff out Iran's nuclear ambitions, while Tehran insists they were acting in self-defence. The international community needs to respond to this crisis with cool heads and the goal of de-escalation. What we do not need is leaders of influence inflaming an already delicate situation. President Trump's actions so far are further proof – if any was needed – that he is intent on making matters worse. It has been reported he has approved plans to attack Iran but has not made a final decision to go for war. The US record in the Middle East has largely been one of dismal failure. The invasion of Iraq was an unmitigated disaster and Trump has failed to rein in Israel on Gaza. Trump should look to one of his predecessors for lessons on how to handle Iran. President Obama was instrumental in signing a deal that put the brakes on Iran's nuclear programme. He used diplomacy and international muscle to get the deal done, rather than launching rockets into a country. In an act of petulance, Trump ripped up the agreement and relations have been strained ever since. The acts of war need to stop and all parties must get round the table. Jobs blame game John Swinney was accused of doing 'nothing' to save the Scottish jobs at Alexander Dennis. The First Minister was blasted by Anas Sarwar for saying he only found out about the bus manufacting firm's issues despite being warned a year ago. Labour have been blaming the Scottish Government, while the SNP has been blaming the UK Government. There is a huge number of jobs at risk as the factories in Camelon and Larbert are set to close. And this is an area which has already been rocked by the closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery. Scotland needs a proper industrial strategy that will provide good jobs and make the things we need. But, instead, what we are getting is politicians pointing fingers at each other and playing the blame game. This does nothing to help the workers facing hardship. Our politicians need to knock their heads together and find solutions to keep jobs, like those at Alexander Dennis, in Scotland.
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Alexander Dennis: FM warned a year ago over firm 'reconsidering' Scotland
The First Minister was also told they had already been 'forced' to offshore certain manufacturing functions to China. The Labour MP for Falkirk, Euan Stainbank, said it was 'absolutely astonishing that John Swinney' had been informed of the risk to hundreds of Scottish jobs and 'done absolutely nothing to avert this'. Notes seen by The Herald show the First Minister intervened after learning of potential redundancies at the firm, suggesting 'further capital support' and advising Scottish Enterprise to 'exhaust all options to support the business'. Scottish Government records show ADL has received £58 million in public 'subsidy' for green vehicles since 2020 under two schemes aimed at transitioning Scotland to green buses. Some £30m in job grants for research and development over 10 years came from the Scottish Government's economic development agency, Scottish Enterprise. A delivered Alexander Dennis bus (Image: Pic supplied) Despite this, ADL said there was not enough support from government and issued a stern warning about its future in Scotland in August last year. READ MORE by Martin Williams "We are regretfully left with the impression through recent developments that the Scottish Government has little regard for domestic bus manufacturing jobs in Scotland and we have no choice but to reconsider our entire investment in the Scottish operations of Alexander Dennis," the Canada-based executive told the First Minister. "In fact, in an attempt to enhance our price competitiveness we have already been forced to offshore certain fabrication functions to China. "I would appreciate an urgent face-to-face meeting with you and key members of your Government to further discuss this critical situation." The First Minister and Deputy First Minister set out the economic case for Scottish independence in 2013 at the Alexander Dennis Falkirk plant. (Image: NQ) He said that in Canada and the United States, governments and transit agencies are 'incredibly proud' of their domestic manufacturers and support them accordingly. "Alexander Dennis operates in a market that had left them with the impression that governments do not seem to care about domestic economic importance," he added. "Indeed, this seems to fly in the face of Scotland's flagship policy plans for a Just Transition, which aims to deliver a fairer, greener future for all, delivered in partnership with those impacted by the transition to net zero. "Alexander Dennis is a key manufacturer in Scotland assisting in delivering a Just Transition through the manufacturing of zero-emission buses with their workforce. "Alexander Dennis should be considered a business of strategic economic importance to Scotland." ADL expressed frustration in May 2023 over the Scottish Government's Zero Emissions Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB). A Scottish Government memo to the Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, revealed a series of letters from ADL and NFI raising concerns about the outcome of the fund. While a Scottish Government memo said ADL received orders for 363 zero-emission buses – more than any other manufacturer – a separate briefing stated ADL was awarded only 17%, or 44 buses, from phase two. A meeting was set up between the First Minister and Mr Soubry in August last year over levels of support rooted in Scottish Government schemes launched in 2020 to accelerate zero and low emission bus manufacture and 'help drive a green recovery out of the Covid pandemic', worth £155.8m to date. The relationship between Alexander Dennis and the SNP goes back to 2013, when then First Minister Alex Salmond and then Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon used its Falkirk base to launch the economic case for Scottish independence. He said while ADL received 17% of the orders under ScotZEB2, no other UK manufacturer benefitted — despite all being part of the Scottish Bus Decarbonisation Taskforce. He expected 83% of the 252 buses ordered under ScotZEB2 to go to manufacturers based in either China or Egypt. He said there was a 'further disappointing revelation' in the final round of ScotZEB — that the winning bid would leverage £3.20 of private sector investment for every £1 from the Scottish Government for 252 vehicles. Mr Soubry said 'this was surprising to read' as the unsuccessful Alexander Dennis-led Phoenix consortium bid planned to deliver up to £3.94 of private investment per £1 of ScotZEB2 funding for a volume of 300 zero-emission buses. "With recent decisions by UK bus operators to acquire largely imported buses with no domestic economic, technology or labour requirements or benefits, we feel we have no choice but to now begin preparations to put a number of people within our team at risk of redundancy, which could decimate the communities we operate in and have important historic ties with," he said. (Image: Alexander Dennis) Mr Stainbank said the letter to the First Minister was a damning indictment of the SNP's failure to act. "It is absolutely astonishing that John Swinney was informed of the real risk to Alexander Dennis's Scottish operations close to a year ago," he said. "He appears in the interim to have done absolutely nothing to avert this. "This is a monumental failure of SNP industrial policy. Greater Manchester bought more than five times as many buses from Alexander Dennis than the SNP did - operating under the exact same legal framework. John Swinney should be embarrassed by that." A month after Mr Soubry's letter, a further call between the First Minister and NFI and ADL showed that Mr Swinney advised and asked that Scottish Enterprise 'exhaust all options to support the business'. A note of the meeting cleared by Mr Swinney stated that he requested that 'all options are exhausted before any final decision is taken by ADL'. An official note of a meeting between Mr Swinney and representatives of Alexander Dennis from 12 August says the First Minister 'noted the potential for further capital support should be explored'. By then Alexander Dennis had already benefited from taxpayer-funded grants and support from the Scottish Government worth £90m since 2005. In the same year of the 2023 ScotZEB2 launch, Scottish Enterprise sanctioned a £13.2m grant on top of a £49.7m ADL investment into the development of zero emissions technology for battery-electric and hydrogen fuel powertrains. Some £11.2m was drawn down. John Swinney (Image: PA) Last week, Mr Swinney told MSPs he was 'deeply concerned' about the proposed job losses and said the government was 'exploring all viable options' to support the workforce. He defended the government's record, stating that Alexander Dennis had received more orders than any other manufacturer under the first phase of ScotZEB and was supported with significant research and development funding. However, he acknowledged that UK-wide subsidy control rules limit what the Scottish Government can do to directly support or prefer domestic manufacturers. 'We must work within the law,' he said. 'But we are trying to find a way through the Subsidy Control Act to ensure we can support manufacturing in Scotland.' Union leaders are calling for more urgency. Unite Scotland estimates that up to 1,600 jobs could be at risk when supply chain roles are included and warned of a 'devastating' impact on communities already reeling from the Grangemouth oil refinery closure. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'We are exploring all viable options throughout the consultation period to allow the firm to retain their hard-working employees and manufacturing and production facilities at Falkirk and Larbert. 'Since 2020, ADL secured orders for more zero emission buses than any other single manufacturer through the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund and its predecessor the Scottish Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme. "ADL has received £58m of Scottish Government subsidy for vehicles under these programmes. ADL have secured orders for more than 360 vehicles through Scottish Government zero emission bus funding programmes, compared to the 160 currently on order from Manchester. 'In response to correspondence in August 2024, the First Minister met with the company that same month, and Scottish Enterprise have been supporting the company with additional supportive measures.'
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Alexander Dennis: ScotGov accused of 'neglect' on firm off to England
A row erupted in the Scottish Parliament in the wake of revelations in the Herald over the depth of the public funding for Scottish jobs over the past ten years - and even while it was cutting back its workforce by a third five years ago. The Herald also revealed how the First Minister was warned about Alexander Dennis was "reconsidering" its "entire investment" in Scotland a year before announcing it plans last week to relocate to England putting 400 jobs at risk. Calls have been made to claw money back money if Alexander Dennis follows through with its plans. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- READ MORE from Martin Williams Swinney got year-long warning England-bound bus firm was 'reconsidering' Scotland FM in funding row as £90m public cash for Scots jobs given to firm going to England Union says 1600 Scots jobs at risk if government doesn't act in 'national interest' ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Scottish Conservative Central Scotland MSP Stephen Kerr told Ms Forbes: "There is £90m of public money went to ADL and yet there was not even a guarantee of jobs. "This crisis didn't come out oft he blue. The SNP governmet was warned for over a year and did nothing. When ADL asked for support they were met with silence. "When Scottish jobs were on the line, the Scottish Government were looking in another direction. "When orders for buses were needed, those orders went to China. "This was not a matter of subsidy control it is strategic neglect." He added: "It is a betrayal of Scottish manufacturing. " The Herald revealed that the row between ministers and ADL emerged over levels of support and had its roots in Scottish Government schemes launched from 2020 to accelerate the use and manufacture of zero and low emission buses in Scotland and 'help drive a green recovery out of the Covid pandemic" which have been worth a total of £155.8m to date. Frustrations emerged after May, 2023 when Alexander Dennis hosted the second phase of the Scottish Government's Zero Emissions Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB) which was to have funding worth £58m. It also showcased its Enviro100EV concept, a lightweight single-deck zero-emission bus with new in-house battery powertrain confirmed that grant backing accelerated its development. (Image: PA) In a scathing letter seen by The Herald, Paul Soubry, president and chief executive of Alexander Dennis's parent company NFI, told John Swinney that recent developments had 'regretfully left [them] with the impression that the Scottish Government has little regard for domestic bus manufacturing jobs in Scotland'. The First Minister was also told they had already been 'forced' to offshore certain manufacturing functions to China. But a Scottish Government memo said that ADL had received orders for 363 zero-emission buses from ScotZEB more than any other manufacturer benefitting from the schemes. A separate briefing states that Alexander Dennis was awarded only 17% or 44 buses from second phase of the programme. A significant grant through the ScotZeb 2 programme was awarded to Zenobe, and its consortium of bus and coach operators to support the transition of bus fleets to electric. ADL, which incurred total losses over three years of £44.9m between 2021 and 2023, made its own bid to the programme but was unsuccessful. While ADL was a supplier to the successful consortium it was not a formal part of it. Ms Forbes said that its policy interventions had been designed to "accelerate uptage of zero emission buses in the Scottish market". And she said that the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise had "continued to provide ongoing support to the company, both directly and through support for the adoption of zero emission". She said: "We will work in close collaboration with the company, with trade unions and the UK Government to find practical solutions. Kate Forbes (Image: Colin Mearns) "We are not going to play politics with this situation. We will continue to explore every avenue to avoid job losses. "I recognize that ADL cannot stand still. We want to support the company, to innovate, to bring forward new products that reflect changes in the sector. In this government, we will continue to do all in our power to support Alexander Dennis and their highly skilled workers."
